m 



HANDBOOK 

or BIRDS OF 
THE WESTERN 
UNITED STATES 

Florence Merria,m Bailey 



v> 




Class _Q .Lfe S3 

Rnnk Zb3 3 



^ootifi! i)p jFIorence Jfterriam* 

(Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey.) 



BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. In 
Riverside Library for Young People. Illus- 
trated. i6mo, 75 cents. 

MY SUMMER IN A MORMON VI LLAGE. With 
an Illustration. i6mo, $i.oo. 

A-BIRDING ON A BRONCO. Illustrated. i6mo, 
$1.25. 

BIRDS OF VILLAGE AND FIELD. A Bird Book 
for Beginners. Fully illustrated. i2mo, ^2.00. 

HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF THE WESTERN 
UNITED STATES. With many illustrations. 
i2mo, $3.50, net. Postpaid, $3.69. 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

Boston and New York 




RING-BILLED GULL (Page 23) 



HANDBOOK OF BIRDS 

OF THE 

WESTERN UNITED STATES 

INCLUDING 

THE GREAT PLAINS, GREAT BASIN, PACIFIC SLOPE, AND 

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY 

BY 

FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY 



WITH THIRTY-THREE FULL-PAGE PLATES BY 

LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, AND OVER SIX 

HUNDRED CUTS IN THE TEXT 



THIRD EDITION, REVISED 




mmmmmm 



BOSTON AND NEW YORK 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 
(Cbe li^iticr?itic pre??" Cambridge 



©Nt 



^^ jk 



COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY FLORENCE A. BAILEY 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

Published November ^ igos 

ore 4 ^^ 



'^ PREFATOKY NOTE. 



The preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good 
offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. 
Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and 
Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous 
help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. 
Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds 
of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the 
Biological Survey records. Dr. A. K. Fisher has given me kindly 
advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the 
entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From 
my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and 
assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descrip- 
tions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water 
and land birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson has generously corrected and 
extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C, Ober- 
holser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. 
Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. 
Local lists of much value to students have kindly been furnished by 
Mr. A. W. Anthony, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, Mr. Walter K. Fisher, 
Mr. William H. Kobb^, and Mr. Frank Bond, to whom, as to all 
those who have helped in the preparation of the book, I would ex- 
press my sincere gratitude and appreciation. 



FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY. 



Washington, D. C. 
October, 1902. 



NOTE TO SECOND EDITION 



Since the publication of this book the Nomenclature Committee 
of the American Ornithologists' Union has made a number of rulings 
in regard to western birds, recognizing some of the new subspecies, 
rejecting others, and raising some subgenera to the rank of genera. 
A list of these alterations will be found in the Appendix, pp. 486- 
488. The revision of the Horned Larks (Otocoris) has been incorpo- 
rated in the book itself, as the genus was in a state of great confu- 
sion. So far as discovered, the errors and omissions of the first 
edition of the book have been corrected. 

F. M. B. 

August, 1903. 

In the Third Edition of the book all additional errors discovered 
have been corrected, many of the photographs of bird-skins have 
been replaced with drawings by Mr. Kako Morita, and Astragalinus 
has been revised in the text to accord with the rulings of the Amer- 
ican Ornithologists' Union. 

F. M. B. 

June, 1908. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

List of Illustrations ix 

Introduction xxv 

Acknowledgments ......... xxv 

Collecting- and preparing Birds, Nests, and Eg-g-s. By Vernon 

Bailey xxvi 

Collecting Birds . . ... . . . . . xxvi 

Measuring- .......... xxvii 

Making Bird Skins . . . •• . . . . xxviii 

Skinning . . . . . . . . . . xxix 

Stuffing XXX 

Labeling .......... xxx 

Sexing ........... xxx 

Collecting and preserving Eggs and Nests .... xxxi 

Note-Taking, Note -Books, and Journals xxxiii 

Life Zones ........... xxxiii 

Migration xxxvi 

Economic Ornithology ..... o .. . xxxvii 

Bird Protection. By Theodore S. Palmer .... xxxix 

Local Bird Lists • . xliii 

Portland, Oregon. By A. W. Anthony . . . . . xliii 

San Francisco Bay. By William H. Kobb^ .... xlviii 
Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. By Walter 

K. Fisher H 

Pasadena, California. By Joseph Grinnell . . . . Ivi 

Fort Sherman, Idaho. By J. C. Merrill .... Ixiv 

Cheyenne, Wyoming. By Frank Bond .... Ixix 

Pinal, Pima, and Gila Counties, Arizona. By W. E. D. Scott Ixxiv 

Books of Reference ......... Ixxxiii 

Use of Handbook Keys Ixxxviii 



BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES WEST OF THE ONE 
HUNDREDTH MERIDLA.N. 

Key to Orders 1 

Key to Families of Water Birds . » . . . » 2 



CONTENTS 



Order Pygopodes: Diving Birds 

Family Podicipidse : Grebes 

Family Gaviidae : Loons .... 

Family Alcidae : Auks, Murres, and Puffins 
Order Longipennes : Long-winged Swimmers 

Family Stercorariidae : Jaegers, etc. 

Family Laridse : Gulls and Terns 
Order Tdbinares : TtrsE-NOSED Swimmers . 

Family Diomedeidse : Albatrosses 

Family ProcellariidaB : Fulmars and Shearwaters 
Order Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers 

Family Anhingidae : Darters 

Family Phalaeroeoracidae : Cormorants 

Family Pelecanidse : Pelicans 

Family Fregatidse : Man-o'-War Birds 
Order Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers 

Family Anatidae : Ducks, Geese, and Swans 
Order Herodiones : Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc 

Family Ibididse : Ibises .... 

Family Ciconiidae : Storks and Wood Ibises 

Family Ardeidae : Herons, Egrets, Bitterns 
Order Paludicol^ : Cranes, Rails, etc. 

Family Gruidae : Cranes .... 

Family Rallidae : Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 
Order Limicol^ : Shore Birds 

Family Phalaropodidse : Phalaropes . 

Family Reeurvirostridae : Avocets and Stilts 

Family Seolopacidae : Snipe, Sandpipers, etc. 

Family Charadriidae : Plovers 

Family Aphrizidae : Surf Birds and Turnstones 

Family Haematopodidae : Oyster-catchers . 

Family Jacanidae : Jacanas .... 
Key to Families of Land Birds . 
Order Gallin^e : Gallinaceous Birds . 

Family Tetraonidae : Grouse, Partridges, Quail, etc 

Family Phasianidae : Pheasants and Turkeys 

Family Cracidae : Currassows and Guans 
Order Columb^ : Pigeons .... 

Family Columbidae : Pigeons 
Order Raptores: Birds of Prey 

Family Cathartidae : Vultures 

Family Falconidse : Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. 

Family Strigidae : Barn Owls 

Family Bubonidae : Horned Owls, etc. 
Order Psittaci: Parrots, Macaws, Paroquets, etc 

Family Psittaeidae : Parrots and Paroquets . 



CONTENTS vii 

Order Coccyges : Cuckoos, etc 193 

Family Cuculidse : Anis, Road-runners, and Cuckoos . . . 193 
Family Trogonidse : Trog-ons . . . . . . .197 

Family Alcedinidae : King-fishers 198 

Order Pici : Woodpeckers, etc . 200 

Family Picidse : Woodpeckers o . 200 

Order Macrochires : Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds 222 

Family Caprimulgidse : Goatsuckers ...... 222 

Family Micropodidse : Swifts . . ... . . .229 

Family Troehilidse : Humming-birds ...... 232 

Order Passeres : Perching Birds . . . . . . 245 

Family Cotingidse : Cotingas . . . . . . . 245 

Family Tyrannidse : Tyrant Flycatchers 245 

Family Alaudidae : Larks o . . 265 

Family Corvidse : Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc 269 

Family Sturnidse : Starlings 285 

Family Icteridse : Blackbirds, Orioles, etc 285 

Family Fringillidse : Finches, Sparrows, etc. . . . . 303 

Family Tanagridse : Tanagers 379 

Family Hirundinidae : Swallows ....... 382 

Family Ampelidse : Waxwings and Phainopeplas . . . 387 

Family Laniidse : Shrikes 391 

Family Vireonidae : Vireos ........ 394 

Family Mniotiltidse : Wood Warblers 401 

Family Motaeillidse : Wagtails 431 

Family Cinclidse : Dippers 432 

Family Troglodytidse : Wrens, Thrashers, etc 438 

Family Certhiidse : Creepers 451 

Family Paridse : Nuthatches and Tits 452 

Family Sylviidae : Kinglets, Gnatcatchers, etc 463 

Family Turdidae : Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. . 467 

Appendix. 

Color Key to Genera of some of the Common Passerine Birds . 479 

Index 487 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



FULL-PAGE PLATES. 

FACING PAGE 

I. Ring-billed Gull . . . . . Frontispiece. 
II. Zone Map , . . xxxiv 

III. Topography of Bird 1 

IV. Eared Grebe ......... 7 

V. FoRSTER Tern 29 

VI. Pelagic Cormorant 42 

VII. Shoveller .54 

VIII. Black-crowned Night Heron 77 

IX. Wilson Phalaropb .85 

X. Black-necked Stilt 86 

XI. Long-billed Curlew 101 

XII. Snowy Plover 105 

XIII. Scaled Partridge . . . . . , . .118 

XIV. Mearns Quail 122 

XV. White-tailed Ptarmigan 129 

XVI. Marsh Hawk . . 150 

XVII. Audubon Caracara 171 

XVIII. Poor-will 224 

XIX. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 246 

XX. Arkansas and Cassin Kingbirds. . . . . 249 

XXI. Ash-throated Flycatcher 253 

XXII. Magpie . . . . . ... . .270 

XXIII. Long-crested Jay . . 273 

XXIV. WooDHOusE Jay 274 

XXV. Northern Raven 280 

XXVI. Yellow-headed Blackbird 288 

XXVII. Western Lark Sparbow . 336 

XXVIII. Texas Pyrrhuloxlv 371 

XXIX. Lark Bunting 377 

XXX. PiLEOLATED WARBLEK 428 

XXXI. Rock Wren 443 

XXXII. Canyon Wren 445 

XXXIII. Long-billed Marsh Wren 450 



X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

XXXIV. Pygmy Nuthatch 454 

XXXV. Mountain Chickadee 458 

XXXVI. Varied Thrush . . . . . . . .474 

DIAGRAMS, 

Measurement of Bill , . xxviii 

Measurement of Tarsus ....,,,, xxviii 

FIGURES IN THE TEXT, 

FIGtJRE PAGE 

1. Western Grebe, foot 2 

2. Loon, foot 2 

3. Tufted Puffin, foot 2 

4. Herring Gull, foot 2 

5. Parasitic Jaeger, bill . 2 

6. Short-billed Gull, bill 2 

7. Black-footed Albatross, bill 3 

8. Giant Fulmar, bill 3 

9. Cormorant, foot .......... 3 

10. Man-o'-War Bird, bill . .3 

11. White-crested Cormorant, bill 3 

12. White Pelican, biU . 3 

13. Merganser, foot 3 

14. White-faced Glossy Ibis, bill . . . . . . , 4 

15. Green Heron, head 4 

16. Sandhill Crane, foot ......... 4 

17. Florida Gallinule, foot 4 

18. White -rumped Sandpiper, foot . 4 

19. Killdeer, foot . .4 

20. Western Grebe, head 5 

21. Horned Grebe, head 7 

22. Least Grebe . . « 8 

23. Pied-billed Grebe 8 

24. Loon, bill 9 

25. Pacific Loon, head 11 

26. Tufted Puffin; bill . . 11 

27. California Murre, bill 11 

28. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill 12 

29. Pigeon Guillemot, bill 12 

30. Paroquet Auklet, bill . 12 

31. Least Auklet, bill 12 

32. Tufted Puffin, head 12 

33. Rhinoceros Auklet, bill '. 13 

34. Paroquet Auklet, bill ......... 14 

35. Least Auklet, bill 14 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xi 

36. Marbled Murrelet 15 

37. Pigeon Guillemot, head 16 

38. California Murre 17 

39. Long-tailed Jaeger, head . . , 19 

40. Herring GuU, bill 19 

41. Forster Tern, bill 19 

42. Heermann Gull .....,..., 24 

43. Franklin Gull, head 25 

44. Franklin Gull, wing tip 26 

45. Bonaparte Gull, wing tip , ,26 

46. Sabine Gull, biU . . . . . . . . . .27 

47. Sabine GuU 27 

48. Caspian Tern, head 28 

49. Least Tern 30 

50. Black Tern 31 

51. Sooty Albatross, bill 32 

52. Black-footed Albatross, bill 32 

53. Sooty Albatross, bill . .33 

54. Forked-tailed Petrel, bill 38 

55. Slender-billed Fulmar, bill 33 

56. Giant Fulmar, bill .34 

57. Slender-billed Fulmar, bill 34 

58. Kaeding Petrel . 37 

59. White Pelican, bill 42 

60. Man-o'-War Bird, bill 43 

61. Merganser, bill 44 

62. Mallard, bill 44 

63. Red-breasted Merganser, head 46 

64. Hooded Merganser, head 47 

65. Mallard, head 48 

66. Baldpate, head 50 

67. Green-winged Teal, head . , , . . . . .51 

68. Blue-winged Teal, head 52 

69. Cinnamon Teal, head . ........ 53 

70. Pintail, head 54 

71. Wood Duck, head 55 

72. Redhead, head 56 

73. Canvas-back, head •.«..,... 57 

74. Scaup Duck, head 58 

75. Golden-eye, head 59 

76. Buffle-head, head . . .60 

77. Old-squaw, head 61 

78. Harlequin Duck, head 62 

79. White-winged Scoter, head 63 

80. Ruddy Duck, head 64 



LIST OF iLLUSTRATIOI^S 



81. White-fronted Goose, head 

82. Canada Goose, head 

83. White-faced Glossy Ibis, head 

84. Bittern, head 

85. Bittern, foot 

86. Green Heron, head 

87. Sandhill Crane, foot 

88. California Clapper Rail 

89. Virginia Rail, head 

90. Virginia Rail, foot 

91. Carolina Rail, head 

92. Yellow Rail 

93. Black Rail . 

94. Florida Gallinule 

95. Florida Gallinule, foot 

96. Coot . 

97. Coot, foot . 

98. Red Phalarope, foot 

99. Red Phalarope . 

100. Northern Phalarope 

101. Avocet, head 

102. Wilson Snipe, head 

103. Long-billed Dowitcher 

104. Stilt Sandpiper . 

105. Knot . 

106. Pectoral Sandpiper 

107. White-rumped Sandpiper 

108. Baird Sandpiper . 

109. Least Sandpiper . 

110. Red-backed Sandpiper 

111. Semipalraated Sandpiper 

112. Western Sandpiper 

113. Sanderling . 

114. Sanderling, foot . 

115. Marbled Godwit . 

116. Greater Yellow-legs . 

117. Lesser Yellow -legs 

118. Solitary Sandpiper 

119. Black-bellied Plover, head 

120. Killdeer, head . 

121. Semipalmated Plover, head 

122. Mountain Plover . 

123. Surf Bird . 

124. Black Turnstone, summer plumage 

125. Black Turnstone, head, winter plumage 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



126. Black Oyster-catcher . 

127. Black Oyster-catcher, foot 

128. Bob-white, bill . 

129. Dove, bill . 

130. Turkey Vulture, bill 

131. Turkey Vulture, foot 

132. Sparrow Hawk, bill 

133. Fish Hawk, foot . 

134. Owl, bill . 

135. Saw-whet Owl, head 

136. Western Horned Owl, head 

137. Kingfisher, head . 

138. King-fisher, foot . 

139. Cuckoo, foot 

140. Cuckoo, bill. 

141. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus), bill 

142. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus), tail 

143. Woodpecker (Dryobates), foot 

144. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot 

145. Hummingbird, bill 

146. Swift, bill . 

147. Nighthawk, foot . 

148. Swift, foot . 

149. Song Sparrow, foot 

150. Skylark, bill 

151. Homed Lark, foot 

152. Flycatcher, bill . 

153. Swallow, wing 

154. Sprague Pipit, foot 

155. Pipit, foot . 

156. Warbler (Dendroica), bill 

157. Black and White Warbler, foot 

158. Song Sparrow, bill 

159. Goldfinch, bill . . 

160. Crossbill, bill 

161. Longspur, bill 

162. Evening Grosbeak, bill 

163. Scarlet Tanager, bill 

164. Summer Tanager, bill 

165. Oriole, bill . 

166. Cowbird, bill 

167. Crow Blackbird, bill 

168. Shrike, wing feathers 

169. Loggerhead Shrike, head 
J7Q.. Wren, bill . 



107 
107 
108 
108 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
109 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
110 
11] 
11] 

ii: 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11] 
11: 
11] 

112 

112 

112 
112 
112 
112 



XIV 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



171. Jay, bill . 

172. Wren-Tit, bill . 

173. Robin, wing- feathers 

174. Kinglet, foot 

175. Warbling- Vireo, foot 

176. Warbling- Vireo, bill 

177. Vireo, tail . 

178. Gnatcatcber, tail . 

179. Sage Thrasher, foot 

180. Brown Creeper, bill 

181. Brown Creeper, tail 

182. Chickadee, bill . 

183. Nuthatch, bill . 

184. Sage Grouse, tail 

185. Sharp-tailed Grouse, tail 

186. Ptarmigan, foot . 

187. Dusky Grouse, foot 

188. Ruffed Grouse, foot 

189. Mearns Quail, foot 

190. Bob-white, foot . 

191. Bob-white . 

192. Texan Bob-white 

193. Masked Bob-white 

194. Plumed Partridge 

195. Valley Partridge, female 

196. Valley Partridge, male 

197. Gambel Partridge, male 

198. Gambel Partridge, female 

199. Dusky Grouse 

200. Richardson Grouse 

201. Franklin Grouse . 

202. Gray Ruffed Grouse . 

203. Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan 

204. Prairie Hen . 

205. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse 

206. Sage Grouse 

207. Band-tailed Pigeon . 

208. Mourning Dove . 

209. White- winged Dove . 

210. Mexican Ground Dove 

211. Inea Dove . 

212. Turkey Vulture, head 

213. Fish Hawk, foot . 

214. Prairie Falcon, feather 

215. Sparrow Hawk, bill . 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xv 

216. Swallow-tailed Kite, tail . . 147 

217. White-tailed Kite, foot .147 

218. Audubon Caracara, bill . 147 

219. Mexican Goshawk, feather 147 

220. Swallow-tailed Kite . . .148 

221. Mississippi Kite . 149 

222. Sharp-shinned Hawk ..... ... 151 

223. Cooper Hawk 152 

224. Goshawk 153 

225. Sennett White-tailed Hawk, primaries . . . . . 155 

226. Red-bellied Hawk, primary 155 

227. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail . 155 

228. Red-tailed Hawk 155 

229. Zone-tailed Hawk, tail . . . . . . .158 

230. Swainson Hawk 159 

231. Rough-legged Hawk 162 

232. Ferruginous Rough-leg 163 

233. Golden Eagle . .164 

234. Bald Eagle 165 

235. Duck Hawk 167 

236. Pigeon Hawk . 168 

237. Sparrow Hawk 170 

238. Fish Hawk 173 

239. Barn Owl, foot 173 

240. Barn Owl 174 

241. Saw-whet Owl 175 

242. Western Horned Owl, head 175 

243. Long-eared Owl . 176 

244. Short-eared Owl . . . . . . . . . .177 

245. Barred Owl . . .178 

246. Saw-whet Owl, head 180 

247. Screech Owl 182 

248. Dwarf Screech Owl . . .185 

249. Western Horned Owl, head 186 

250. Snowy Owl 187 

251. Hawk Owl 188 

252. Burrowing Owl .189 

253. Pygmy Owl 190 

254. Elf Owl ............ 191 

255. Groove-billed Ani . . . 193 

256. Road-runner 194 

257. Yellow-billed Cuckoo 195 

258. Black-billed Cuckoo, tail 196 

259. Coppery-tailed Trogon .197 

260. Belted Kingfisher . 198 



xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

261. Texas King-fisher . . .199 

262. Woodpecker (Dryobates), foot ....... 200 

263. Woodpecker (Sphyrapicus) , bill 200 

264. Woodpecker (Dryobates), bill " , 200 

265. Woodpecker (Picoides), foot . . . . . . . 200 

266. Northern Pileated Woodpecker , . . . . . . 200 

267. Flicker 200 

268. Northern Hairy Woodpecker 201 

269. Harris Woodpecker . . . 202 

270. Gairdner Woodpecker . . . , 203 

271. Texan Woodpecker ......... 204 

272. Nuttall Woodpecker ......... 205 

273. White-headed Woodpecker 207 

274. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker ....... 208 

275. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker 209 

276. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 210 

277. Red-naped Sapsucker 211 

278. Red-breasted Sapsucker . . . . . . , .211 

279. Williamson Sapsucker ........ 213 

280. Northern Pileated Woodpecker . 214 

281. Red-headed Woodpecker 215 

282. Ant-eating Woodpecker, head ....... 216 

283. Lewis Woodpecker 217 

284. Red-bellied Woodpecker, head . 218 

285. Golden-fronted Woodpecker, head ...... 219 

286. Gila Woodpecker . .219 

287. Northern Flicker . . . . . ,, . . . .220 

288. Whip-poor-will, head . .223 

289. California Poor-will 224 

290. Nighthawk, foot 226 

291. Nighthawk, head 226 

292. Nighthawk, wing . . . 226 

293. Texas Nighthawk, wing 228 

294. Swift, tail feather ......... 229 

295. Black Swift .... . . . . . .229 

296. Chimney Swift . . . ' . 230 

297. Vaux Swift 231 

298. White-throated Swift 232 

299. Lucifer Hummingbird, bill 232 

300. Calliope Hummingbird, tail 233 

301. Anna Hummingbird, female, tail . . . . . . 233 

302. Black-chinned Hummingbird, tail ...... 233 

303. Rivoli Hummingbird 233 

304. Blue-throated Hummingbird . . . . o . .234 

305. Ruby-throated Huriimingbird, wing . . . . . . 234 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



xvii 



Ruby-throated Humming-bird 

Black-chinned Hummingbird, female, tail 

Anna Hummingbird, female, tail 

Anna Hunaming-bird, male, tail . 

Costa Humming-bird . 

Anna Humming-bird . 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird, outer primaries 

Broad-tailed Humming-bird, male, tail 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird, female, tail 

Rufous Humming-bird, male, tail 

Rufous Humming-bird . 

Allen Hummingbird, male, tail 

Allen Hummingbird, female, tail 

Calliope Hummingbird, tail 

Calliope Hummingbird 

Lucifer Hummingbird 

Broad-billed Hummingbird 

Xantus Becard . 

Kingbird .... 

Arkansas Kingbird, wing tip 

Cassin Kingbird, wing tip . 

f Crested Flycatcher 

Wood Pewee 

Phcebe 

Kingbird 

Least Flycatcher 
Flycatcher (Myiarchus), foot 

Phoebe 

Western Black PhcBbe, head 
Flycatcher (Contopus), foot 
Olive-sided Flycatcher 
Coues Flycatcher 
Western Wood Pewee . 
Flycatcher (Empidonax) 
Western Flycatcher, bill 
Hammond Flycatcher, bill . 
Wright Flycatcher, bill 
Western Flycatcher, bill 
Hammond Flycatcher . 
Hammond Flycatcher, bill . 
Wright Flycatcher, bill 
Horned Lark, head 
Pallid Horned Lark . 
Blue Jay .... 
Rocky Mountain Jay, head . 



306. 
307. 
308. 
309. 
310. 
311. 
312. 
313. 
314. 
315. 
316. 
317. 
318. 
319. 
320. 
321. 
322. 
323. 
324. 
325. 
326. 



327. Flycatchers 



328. 
329. 
330. 
331. 
332. 
333. 
334. 
335. 
336. 
337. 
338. 
339. 
340. 
341. 
342. 
343. 
344. 
345. 
346. 



foot 



235 
235 
236 
236 
237 
237 
238 
238 
239 
240 
240 
241 
241 
241 
242 
242 
244 
245 
248 
248 
249 



251 



251 

254 
256 
256 
257 
257 
258 
259 
259 
259 
259 
260 
262 
262 
262 
266 
267 
272 
277 



xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

347. Oregon Jay, head 278 

348. Crow, bill 279 

349. Clarke Nutcracker 282 

350. Bobolink, tail . c .285 

351. Bobolink, head . . . .285 

352. Cowbiid, bill . . ■ . . . . . . . .285 

353. Meadowlark, head 285 

354. Bronzed Grackle, bill . . . 285 

355. Oriole, bill . , 285 

356. Yellow-headed Blackbird, foot 285 

357. Red-wing, head 286 

358. Bobolink . . . . • 286 

359. Cowbird .287 

360. Red-winged Blackbird 290 

361. Meadowlark 292 

362. Scott Oriole 294 

363. Arizona Hooded Oriole 296 

364. Baltimore Oriole 297 

365. Bullock Oriole, head 298 

366. Brewer Blackbird .......... 300 

367. Bronzed Grackle . . . 301 

368. Redpoll, wing 303 

369. CrossbUl, biU . . . 303 

370. Western Evening Grosbeak, bill . . . . . . .303 

371. Redpoll, head .304 

372. Snowflake, head . . . • 304 

373. McCown Longspur, tail 304 

374. Pine Finch, head 304 

375. Black-headed Grosbeak, head ....... 304 

376. Western Lark Sparrow . . . . ' . . . . 304 

377. Longspur, foot . . .304 

378. Vesper Sparrow, tail . 304 

379. Dickcissel, head . . . .305 

380. English Sparrow, male 305 

381. Pine Grosbeak, head . . . . . . . . .305 

382. Pyrrhuloxia . . . . . . . . . . .305 

383. Cardinal, head 305 

384. Arctic Towhee . .305 

385. Slate-colored Juiieo, head 305 

386. Sparrow (Aimophila), wing 306 

387. White-crowned Sparrow . . . . . . . .306 

388. Green-taHed Towhee, head 306 

389. Fox Sparrow, head . • .306 

390. California Towhee . . 306 

391. Bunting (Cyanospiza), bill . . . ' . . . . . 306 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xix 

392. Song Sparrow, head 306 

393. Western Evening Grosbeak ....... 307 

394. Pine Grosbeak 308 

395. California Purple Finch, tail .310 

396. Purple Finch 311 

397. Cassin Purple Finch, head .312 

398. House Finch, male .312 

399. House Finch, female . . 312 

400. Crossbill, bill 313 

401. White- winged Crossbill 315 

402. Gray-crowned Leucosticte, head ....... 315 

403. Hoary Redpoll . . .318 

404. Redpoll, head 319 

405. Goldfinch 321 

406. Arkansas Goldfinch, adult .322 

407. Arkansas Goldfinch, immature 322 

408. Lawrence Goldfinch 323 

409. Pine Finch .323 

410. English Sparrow, male « 324 

411. English Sparrow, female 324 

412. Snowflake 325 

413. Lapland Longspur, summer male ...... 326 

414. Lapland Longspur, winter male 326 

415. Smith Longspur, summer male ....... 327 

416. Chestnut-collared Longspur, summer male 328 

417. Chestnut-collared Longspur, winter male . . . . . 328 

418. McCown Longspur . . . 328 

419. Western Vesper Sparrow, tail ....... 329 

420. Sandwich Sparrow ......... 331 

421. Large-billed Sparrow 833 

422. Baird Sparrow 333 

423. Western Grasshopper Sparrow 334 

424. Sharp-tailed Sparrow, tail 335 

425. Harris Sparrow . . . . ... . . .337 

426. White-crowned Sparrow 338 

427. Gambel Sparrow, head . o » 339 

428. Golden-crowned Sparrow . . . . . . . . 340 

429. White-throated Sparrow, head 340 

430. Western Tree Sparrow 341 

431. Western Chipping Sparrow, head ...... 342 

432. Brewer Sparrow, head . 343 

433. Worthen Sparrow, head . . . . . . . . 344 

434. Black-chinned Sparrow • • 345 

435. Slate-colored Juneo 346 

436. Thurber Junoo .•.....«.. 348 



XX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

437. Red-backed Junco 349 

438. Black-throated Sparrow, head . . . . . . = 350 

439. Sage Sparrow, head 352 

440. Cassin Sparrow . . . . 353 

441. Rufous- winged Sparrow, head 354 

442. Rufous-crowned Sparrow, head . . . . , . . 354 

443. Song Sparrow, head . . . , . • , . , 356 

444. Desert Song Sparrow . . . . 357 

445. Mountain Song Sparrow 357 

446. Samuels Song Sparrow 358 

447. Rusty Song Sparrow . . . 358 

448. Lincoln Sparrow . 359 

449. Fox Sparrow . . 361 

450. Townsend Sparrow 361 

451. Thick-billed Sparrow, bill 362 

452. Slate-colored Sparrow, bill .....•,. 363 

453. Stephens Sparrow, bill 363 

454. California Towhee 363 

455. Towhee, head 363 

456. Towhee, head . . . 364 

457. Arctic Towhee » 364 

458. Spurred Towhee . . . . . - . . . . .365 

459. Oregon Towhee . . i 365 

460. California Towhee, head . 367 

461. Green-tailed Towhee, head .. c ..... 368 
462o Cardinal, head 369 

463. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 372 

464. Black-headed Grosbeak, head ....... 372 

465. Bunting (Cyanospiza), bill . . ... . . . 374 

466. Dickcissel, head . . . . . ... . . .377 

467. Scarlet Tanager, head 379 

468. Summer Tanager, bill • • . . .379 

469. Scarlet Tanager, bill . . . . . . . . .380 

470. Summer Tanager, bill , 382 

471. Barn Swallow, tail 382 

472. Rough-winged Swallow, feather , . 382 

473. Cliff Swallow, head 384 

474. Barn Swallow, foot 385 

475. Barn Swallow 385 

476. White-bellied Swallow ........ 386 

477. Bank Swallow 386 

478. Rough-winged Swallow, feather 387 

479. Rough-winged Swallow, head 387 

480. Cedar Waxwing 389 

481. Phainopepla 390 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS sxi 

482. Shrike, biU . 391 

483o Northern Shrike 392 

484. White-rumped Shrike 392 

485. Black-capped Vireo, head 394 

486o Cassin Vireo, head . 394 

487. Red-eyed Vireo, head 394 

488. Warbling Vireo. head .394 

489. Red-eyed Vireo, head 395 

490. Warbling- Vireo, head 395 

491. Cassin Vireo, head 396 

492. Black-capped Vireo, head . . « 397 

493. Redstart, biU . . .401 

494. Red-faced Warbler, bill . . . . . . . .401 

495. Black and White Warbler, head 401 

496. Black and White Warbler, foot 401 

497. Warbler (Helminthophila), foot 401 

498. Chat, head 401 

499. Northern Parula Warbler, head 401 

500. Warbler (Dendroica), bill 401 

501. Black and White Warbler, head 402 

502o Calaveras Warbler, head 402 

503. Calaveras Warbler, head 404 

504. Northern Parula Warbler, head 406 

505. Warbler (Dendroica), foot 407 

506. Blackbiirnian Warbler, head 407 

507. Yellow Warbler, head 407 

508. Magnolia Warbler, head .... = ... 408 

509. Olive Warbler . . . . 408 

510. Black-throated Blue Warbler, head 408 

511. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head . . » . . . 408 

512. Hermit Warbler, head • 408 

513. Black-throated Green Warbler, head 408 

514o Golden-cheeked Warbler, head 408 

515. Townsend Warbler, head 408 

516. Black-poll Warbler, head 409 

517. Yellow-rumped Warbler, head ....... 409 

518. Chestnut-sided Warbler, head 409 

519o Olive Warbler 410 

520. Yellow Warbler, head 411 

521. Black-throated Blue Warbler, head 412 

522. Yellow-rumped Warbler, head 412 

523. Audubon Warbler 413 

524. Magnolia Warbler, head 415 

525o Chestnut-sided Warbler, head ....... 416 

526. Blaek-poll Warbler, head 417 



xxii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

527. Blaekburnian Warbler, head ....... 41*? 

528. Black-throated Gray Warbler, head ...... 419 

529. Golden-cheeked Warbler, head 419 

530o Black-throated Green Warbler, head .420 

531. Townsend Warbler, head 421 

532. Hermit Warbler, head . . . . . . . .421 

533. Oven-bird, head . . . . = ... . .423 

534. Grinnell Water-Thrush . ... . ... . .423 

535. Macgillivray Warbler, head 425 

536. Western Yellow-throat, head 425 

537. Long-tailed Chat 426 

538. Wilson Warbler, head 428 

539. Canadian Warbler, head 429 

540. Redstart, head ... o ...... 429 

541. Pipit 431 

542. Pipit, foot . . . . .431 

543. Sprague Pipit, foot 432 

544o Water Ouzel . . . . . . . . . .432 

545. Sage Thrasher . . . . . . . . . .433 

546. Brown Thrasher, head 434 

547. California Thrasher, bill 434 

548. Mockingbird, head 434 

549. Catbird, head 434 

550. Cactus Wren • • • • .434 

551. Canyon Wren 434 

552o Rock Wren . . . . . . . . . . .434 

553. Western Winter Wren . . . . . . . . 434 

554. House Wren, head . . . . , 434 

555. Long-billed Marsh Wren, head . . . . . . . 434 

556. Carolina Wren, head . . . . 435 

557. Sage Thrasher 435 

558. Eastern Mocker .436 

559. Catbird 437 

560. Brown Thrasher 438 

561. Sennett Thrasher . .438 

562. Curve-billed Thrasher . c . 439 

563. Palmer Thrashex- . . . . . . . . . .439 

564. Bendire Thrasher 440 

565. Californian Thrashe? . . . o 440 

566. Leconte Thrasher 441 

567. Crissal Thrasher » . . . = 442 

568. Cactus Wren 442 

569. Rock Wren . . . . . 443 

570. Canyon Wren . .445 

571. Carolina Wrea^ head . o . . . = . . .446 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxiii 

572. Vigors Wren 447 

573. ParkmanWren ..... o .... 448 

574. Western Winter Wren 449 

575. Brown Creeper, bill o . . . 451 

576. Brown Creeper, tail 451 

577. Californian Creeper . . 452 

578. Slender-billed Nuthatch, feather . . . . . .453 

579. White-breasted Nuthatch, feather 453 

580. White-breasted Nuthatch, head . . . . o . . 453 
581o Red-breasted Nuthatch, head » . 454 

582. Plain Titmouse . 456 

583. Bridled Titmouse, head . . 457 

584. Chickadee, head 457 

585. Wren-Tit «... 460 

586. Bush-Tit 461 

587. Lloyd Bush.Tit . . „ 462 

588. Kinglet, bill . . . 463 

589. Golden-crowned Kinglet, head . . . . . . . 463 

590. Ruby-erowned Kinglet, head . , 464 

591. Gnatcateher, tail 465 

592. Blue-gray Gnatcateher, head 465 

593. Plumbeous Gnatcateher, feather 465 

594. Black-tailed Gnatcateher^ feather 465 

595. Blue-gray Gnatcateher . . 465 

596. Plumbeous Gnatcateher 466 

597. Townsend^ Solitaire . . . . • « • ■= . 467 

598. Wood Thrush ..... , .... 469 

599. Robin, bill . . . . » 472 

600o Robin , . 472 

601. Bluebird o . . . o 475 



INTRODUCTION. 



The classification, nomenclature, and numeration used in this 
book are those of the A. 0. U. Check-List of North American Birds, 
except that modern scientific usage has been followed in dropping 
the possessive form in the vernacular names of species, as Clarke 
nutcracker and Steller jay, instead of Clarke's nutcracker and Stel- 
ler's jay. The rulings of the nomenclature committee of the Amer- 
ican Ornithologists' Union have been followed, but new species upon 
which the committee has not yet ruled have been included in foot- 
notes under their proper places. 

In the matter of authorities, Ridgway's Manual of North Ameri- 
can Birds, his Hummingbird paper, and Birds of North and Middle 
America (Parts I. and II.) have been used at all points as standard 
authorities, and the substance of keys and descriptions frequently 
quoted. 

In the general treatment of species various authorities have been 
followed. 

General Characters. — These summaries of technical characters 
have been abridged from the generic descriptions in Parts I. and II. 
of Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America, his monograph 
on the Hummingbirds, and Coues's Key to North American Birds. 

Measurements. — The measurements have been taken fi'om the 
second edition of Ridgway's Manual of North American Birds, from 
Parts I. and II. of North and Middle America, with the millimeters 
converted into inches, and, in the case of species not included in 
these books, from the original descriptions. 

Nest and Eggs. — Descriptions of nests and eggs are taken mainly 
from Bendire's Life Histories of North American Birds, Ridgway's 
Manual, second edition, llie Auk, The Condor, The Osprey, The 
Nidologist, The Ornithologist and Oologist, Goss's Birds of Kansas, 
The Biological Survey Records, and from specimens in the Bendire 
and Ralph collections of the United States National Museum. 



xxvi INTRODUCTION 

Food. — Food notes have been made up mainly from Bendire's 
Life Histories, Fisher's Hawks and Owls of the United States, Goss's 
Birds of Kansas, and the records of the Biological Survey. 

Distribution. — The distributions have been compiled from the 
manuscript maps and reports of the Biological Survey, and the North 
American Fauna, (3) San Francisco Mountain, Arizona ; (7) Death 
Valley, and (16) Mount Shasta, California; (22) Hudson Bay; (5) 
Idaho; (21) The Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; and 
(14) The Tres Marias Islands, Mexico; The A. 0. U. Check-List of 
North American Birds; Belding's Land Birds of California; Bendire's 
Life Histories of North American Birds; Bruner's Birds of Nebraska ; 
Bryant's Birds and Eggs of the Farallon Islands; Cooke's Bird Mi- 
gration in the Mississippi Valley, and Birds of Colorado; Fannin's 
Check-List of British Columbia Birds; Goss's Birds of Kansas; Grin- 
nell's Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angeles County; Loomis's Cali- 
fornia Water Birds; Macoun's Catalogue of Canadian Birds; Mc- 
Gregor's Pacific Coast Avifauna; and Sillo way's Summer Birds of 
Flathead Lake, Montana; together with local lists in The Auk, The 
Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club, The Condor, and The 
Osprey. 

Illustrations. — The new heads and full figures of birds are by 
Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the outlines by Miss Franceska Weiser, the 
old material from drawings of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Ernest Thomp- 
son Seton, Robert Ridgway, John L. Ridgway, and Frank Bond, 
published previously by the Smithsonian Institution, the Biological 
Survey, The Auk, The Osprey, and Houghton, Mifflin & Company 
in Birds of Village and Field and A-Birding on- a Bronco. 

COLLECTING AND PREPARING BIRDS, NESTS, 

AND EGGS. 

By Vernon Bailey. 

Collecting Birds. — Our present knowledge of birds and their 
classification has come from a study of specimens, of the dead bird 
in the flesh, of crops and stomachs, stuffed skins, and skeletons ; 
and without this foundation the study of birds would not have its 
deep interest and meaning nor its practical bearing on the economy 
of our lives. Even our enjoyment of the birds in life, their beauty, 
song, and friendship, would be far less than it is without the un- 
derlying knowledge of their life history, the place they fill, and 
their importance to us. 



INTRODUCTION xxvii 

Naturalist collectors are far from being the ruthless destroyers of 
life they are often supposed to be. It is, indeed, those who collect 
the birds, study them most deeply, and know them best, who are 
doing the most for their protection. Most ornithologists have begun 
their study of birds by making private collections, and have turned 
the knowledge thus gained to the best good of the birds, while their 
collections have finally gone to museums, where they could benefit 
the greatest number of students. 

In most museums, it is true, there are large collections of bird 
skins, often hundreds of specimens of a single species, showing 
every shade of variation due to age, sex, season, moult, and wear of 
plumage, and endless geographic variation over a wide range of 
country ; but to many of those who have the best chance to study 
the birds in life these collections are inaccessible. 

There are still \uiknown, rare, and little known species of birds 
that must be obtained before our knowledge of our own species can 
be approximately complete and our system of classification firmly 
established. But the more immediate and pressing question before 
the young ornithologist is how to identify the obscure species and 
the females and young of better known birds. In many cases the 
bird must be shot to be identified, and not infrequently it must be 
sent to some large museum collection for comparison for satisfactory 
determination. Collecting, therefore, has not only a legitimate but 
fundamental place in ornithology as a scientific study. 

Measurements. — It should be borne in mind that measurements 
are not infallible, and even where the maximum and minimum of a 
series are given, still larger or smaller specimens may be found. 
In many cases measurements are useless in determining characters, 
but in others they are the all important differences between species 
and subspecies. The total length is the most variable measurement, 
and when taken from a skin instead of a bird in the flesh is only 
intended to give a general idea of the size of the bird. In quoting 
Mr. Ridg way's measurements throughout this book the word 
' about ' has been omitted from his lengths, as it applies to all length 
measurements. Lengths are taken from the birds in the flesh, if not 
specifically stated to be from skins. All measurements in the book 
are in inches. Wing, tail, bill, and tarsus measurements are the 
important ones in most species, especially so because they can be 
taken from the dry skin as well as from the fresh specimens. Mea- 
surements should be taken in the following manner: — 

Length. — From tip of bill to tip of tail. To get this lay the 





xxviii INTRODUCTION 

bird on its back on a rule or tape-measure, witli neck and body 
straight. 

Wing. — From the front of the bend of the wrist joint of the 
wing to the tip of the longest feather. This can be taken with either 
tape or dividers. 

Tail. — From the extreme base of the tail to its tip. To get this 
exactly place one point of the dividers at the base of the tail be- 
tween the two middle tail feathers, and the other point of the 
dividers at the tip of the tail. 

Bill. — From edge of feathers on top of bill to tip 
of bill. When it would be necessary to part the 
feathers to reach the base of the bill the expression 
' exposed culmen ' is used for the mea- 
surement. 

Tarsus. — From heel joint to angle 
sC^^ of toe with tarsus. If this is difficult 

to determine, put the dividers on the outside and 
bend the toes. 

Middle toe. — From angle of tarsus and toes to base of claw, the 
length of the claw not being taken unless specified. 

Such measurements as length of toes, depth of bill at base, at 
nostril, etc., and relative lengths of certain feathers and spots and 
markings can usually be taken most accurately and conveniently 
with dividers. 

Making bird skins. — For making bird skins a few simple tools 
and materials are needed, — two sizes of scalpels or slender-bladed 
knives for skinning, a pair of stout, sharp scissors, and a pair of 
forceps, some powdered arsenic and corn -meal, cotton (for large 
species tow), a round-pointed needle, thread, and labels. 

The English sparrow is a good bird to begin with and practice on 
until skins can be made that are worth keeping, an end not attained 
without patient and painstaking effort. 

Having shot a bird, examine it for bloody or soiled spots, and 
sprinkle any that are found with corn-meal or fine sand, and plug 
the throat with cotton to keep any blood or liquids from coming out 
and soiling the feathers. If an eye is broken remove it with the 
forceps, and fill the orifice with cotton and corn-meal, to prevent the 
fluids from soiling the feathers of the head. To keep the bird from 
injury until you can skin it, make a paper cornucopia, and after 
smoothing the feathers drop the bird in bill first ; then fold together 
the gaping edges of the cornucopia, and your bird will carry safely 
in your game-bag or hunting-coat pocket. 



INTRODUCTION xxix 

Skinning. — Place the bird on its back with its bill to your left, 
and part the feathers along the breast and belly. In most species a 
strip of naked skin will appear. Holding the feathers back with 
the thumb and finger of the left hand, cut with a down stroke of the 
scalpel just through the skin from about the middle of the sternum 
back to the vent. Catch the edge of the skin at one side, and with 
the end of the scalpel handle or your fingers work it back from the 
body until the knee-joint of the leg appears, sprinkling in plenty of 
corn-meal as you go to absorb blood and juices and keep your fingers 
dry and the feathers from sticking. Cut the bone at the knee-joint 
with scissors or knife, and draw it up out of the flesh, which can 
be cut off nearer the heel and left fast to the carcass. Loosen the 
skin farther back, then treat the other side in the same manner, fre- 
quently using corn-meal. 

Then turn the bird's bill from you, and cut across below the tail 
to the bone, and either un joint or snip the bone with the scissors 
just in front of the base of the quills, keeping the forefinger of the left 
hand at a point opposite on the outside as a guide to prevent cut- 
ting the skin, and work the skin up over the rump. At this point 
a small hook, suspended in front and hooked into the bird's rump, 
will help the beginner, but he will soon learn to hold up the body 
between the tips of the first two fingers of the left hand, using the 
thumb and third or little finger of the same hand to draw down the 
skin as he cuts with the scalpel in the right. Work the skin from 
the edges, being careful not to stretch it. As the wings are reached 
draw them back out of the skin to near the second joint, break the 
first bone in the middle and remove the flesh. Keep the body well 
sprinkled with meal, and work the skin carefully down over the 
neck to the head until the ears appear, picking them out rather 
than cutting them off ; then working the skin along mainly with the 
finger nails over the eyes (cutting the transparent membrane without 
injury to the lids), and carrying it down to the base of the bill. 

Next remove the eyes and cut off the base and lower part of the 
skull, which can be done so as to leave brains, tongue, and fleshy 
part of mouth attached to the neck, and the skull and bill clean and 
free attached to the skin. If any bits of flesh or fat have been left 
on the skin, remove them, and then dust dry arsenic over the inside 
of the skin, fill the eye sockets with pellets of cotton, and reverse 
the skin by pushing the bill carefully back through the neck. With 
the beginner the skin will become dry before it is ready to be 
turned back, and will need moistening, but after some practice the 



XXX INTRODUCTION 

whole process of skinning should take only from two to four min- 
utes. 

As soon as the skin is turned back, the feathers should be smoothed 
and arranged, the eyelids adjusted, and the edges of the opening of 
the skin laid together before it is put down. 

Stuffing. — For the sparrow, take a short thick piece of cotton — 
tow for large birds — that will make a form the size of the body 
that has been removed from the skin, and press it firmly together 
with the fibers all one way. To fill the skull and make a firm neck, 
pinch one end of the cotton flat and double it over twice, holding it 
firmly after each time between the thumb and finger of the left 
hand. Then catch the hard compact point of cotton between the 
forceps in a position to hold it securely and push it into the bird 
skin, forcing the point up through the neck and base of the skull, 
catching it again with the left thumb and finger in the mouth of 
the bird. Loosen and draw out the forceps, but hold the cotton in 
the mouth until the skin is drawn back and adjusted over the 
stuffing, and superfluous bits of cotton removed or tucked in. 

Then draw together the edges of the skin and catch with a couple 
of stitches. When the wings have been put in place under the 
feathers at the sides, and the feathers properly arranged and 
smoothed, the skin is ready to be labeled and wrapped in a thin 
film of cotton. Then the bill can be tied shut with a thread and 
the bird laid away to dry. 

A beginner's skins are often greatly distorted, and only practice 
can teach the correct amount of cotton to use and its proper form 
and proportions. The best way is to keep in mind the size and 
form of the bird's body, and try to reproduce them. Be careful not 
to make bulging or weak necks. Leave each skin straight and 
symmetrical when put away to dry, and each feather back in its 
original place. 

Labeling. — Skins should be fully labeled with locality, date, sex, 
number, and collector's name, while such additional data as color of 
eyes, bill, feet, or any parts that fade, notes on breeding or locality 
where taken, stomach contents, etc., can be placed on the back of 
the label or kept in a catalogue under the number of each specimen. 



-0[ Collection of Vernon Bailey. 

vol Washingto'n, D. C/ tn cv^ 1 4- 190 2 V. B. 



Sexing. — To determine the sex, cut through the side of the ab- 
dominal wall, push away the intestines, and close against the small 



INTRODUCTION xxxi 

of the back, if the bird is a male, you will see the two oval, usually 
light colored testes, — in tlie breeding season large and conspicuous, 
at other seasons small, and, in immature specimens, often difficult to 
find. If the bird is a female, in place of the two oval bodies there 
will be the ovary, a mass of spherical ovules, large or small ac- 
cording to the season, and often obscure in immature specimens. 
The male sign is Mars' arrow ($), the female, Venus' mirror ($>). 

Collecting and preserving eggs. — Egg collecting is justifiable only 
when the collector's earnestness of purpose warrants the sacrifice of 
happy bird homes, and no amount of pains and care should be 
spared to make each set a permanent and valuable illustration of 
the life history of the species. So far as possible only complete 
sets of fresh eggs should be taken. An incomplete set is of sec- 
ondary importance, and eggs in which incubation is advanced are 
not worth troubling with unless very rare. 

The first step is to identify the nest positively, which, in cases of 
rare species, can often be done only by collecting one or both of the 
birds. Eggs are worse than worthless if there is any question jof 
their identity. 

The next step should be to photograph the nest from at least two 
points, one to show general setting and one at closer range to give 
detail of form and structure. Then notes should be made on the 
position, structure, and materials of the nest, the actions of the old 
birds, and the manner of identification, etc. When possible the 
nest should also be collected. 

Each egg should be wrapped in cotton and each set packed snugly 
in a wooden box with plenty of cotton for carrying home. 

The tools necessary for blowing eggs are a slender blowpipe and 
two drills, large and small, which can be bought of any dealer in 
naturalist's supplies. 

For drilling, hold the egg lightly between the thumb and two 
fingers of the left hand, and placing the sharp point of the drill 
against the side twirl it evenly with a slight pressure until it sinks 
into the shell, grinding out a smooth round hole which points down- 
ward, from the size of a pin-head in a fresh sparrow's egg to an 
eighth of an inch in diameter in a larger or partly incubated egg. 
In much incubated eggs it is often necessary to make a much larger 
opening. A fine stream of air should be forced into the egg without 
touching the blowpipe to the opening, and the contents gently forced 
out. When the shell is empty, with mouth full of water blow a 
stream into it and rinse out thoroughly, afterwards blowing all the 
water out and laying carefully away to dry. 



xxxii INTRODUCTION 

Incubated eggs, though almost at the point of hatching, are 
made by experts into nearly perfect specimens. Following their 
methods, drill the hole and then coat the shell with flexible collodion. 
After removing a small part of the fluid, if the egg is small, insert 
a solution of pepsin or of chlorinated soda, — Labarraque's solution, 
— and let the egg stand for a few hours, after which blow out the 
softened portion of the contents. Add more of the solution, and 
let the eggs stand again, keeping on until you have emptied the 
shell. Large eggs may be treated with a solution of caustic potash, 
care being necessary not to allow the alkali to touch the shell. To 
prevent accident it is well to have a basin of water near in which to 
immerse the egg if necessary. The collodion is removed after the 
completion of the work by the use of ether. 

Each set of eggs and each nest should be kept in a box, with a label 
something like the following, from the Bendire and Ealph collection 
in the National Museum : — 



'A. O. U. No. Scientific name,_ 

Private No Common name,_ 



Collector,, 
Locality, _ 



Date, No. of Eggs in Set, 

Identification, Incubation, 



Nest : Diameter, Depth,_ 

Composed of 



Location,. 



0£ whom and when received, 



Nests should be kept in boxes to fit their size. Great care 
should be taken to protect them from moths and other destructive 



INTRODUCTION xxxiii 

insects, as not only wool but hair and all other animal substances will 
be eaten and the nests ruined if they are not well looked after. The 
best protection for a nest is a spray of a solution of corrosive sub- 
limate, which can be used in a common atomizer, — with a warning 
red label, bearing the word ' Poison.' 

NOTE-TAKING, NOTE-BOOKS, AND JOURNALS. 

The value of collections is increased many fold by the field-notes 
which accompany the specimens, and the bird lover who does not 
collect may add most valuable material to our meagre knowledge of 
the life histories of our birds. 

A compact, statistical journal may be made, as Mr. Chapman i 
and Mr. Felger^ suggest by means of a ' roll or time book,' or any 
sheets ruled in squares in pad form and punched along the sides to 
fasten into a cardboard cover. The squares should be used for daily 
records, the top or top and margin being used for headings, such as 
locality, zone, zonal plants and trees, slope exposure, temperature, 
condition of weather, direction and force of wind, amount of rainfall 
or snowfall, advance of vegetation, new insects abroad, indications 
of mating and of nest-building, number of nests found with eggs 
and with nestlings, number of young on the wing, condition of 
plumage, stage of moult, food, food habits, stomach contents of 
specimens taken, time spent in field, number of birds seen in flocks, 
number seen in migration flights. 

For more detailed life history notes, card catalogues, with family, 
generic, and specific divisions, are popular with many ornithologists. 
A convenient form of field journal is a pad punched at the sides to 
fit into a stiff cover, each sheet to be devoted to a species so that 
the sheets can be slipped out and arranged by species, alphabeti- 
cally. On the return from the field these can be dropped into box 
manuscript trays and arranged by the check-list. 

LIFE ZONES. 

The physical geographies have long taught the division of the 
earth into life zones, from the arctic to the tropical regions, with 
the corresponding vertical divisions from the tropical base of equa- 
torial mountains to their snow-clad arctic summits, and naturalists 
have long since worked out the distribution of animals and plants 

1 Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, pp. 20-22. 
* " Plan for Recording Field Notes," The Auk, xix. 189-193. 



xxxiv INTRODUCTION 

along these lines in Europe and eastern North America. But it is 
only within recent years that the Biological Survey carried on by 
the government has studied the old familiar generalizations in the 
western states in detail and mapped the life zones of the United 
States as a whole. 

The generally accepted theory that the distribution of mammals, 
birds, reptiles, insects, and plants depends on temperature has been 
demonstrated by Dr. Merriam as a physical law that "the northward 
distribution of terrestrial animals and plants is governed by the sum 
of the positive temperatures for the entire season of growth and 
reproduction, and that the southward distribution is governed by 
the mean temperature of a brief period during the hottest part of 
the year."i With this as the working basis he has divided the 
United States into three parts, having the northern (Boreal), south- 
ern (Austral), and intermediate (Transition) climates and flora and 
fauna. By subdivision seven zones are made, known as Alpine, 
Hudsonian, Canadian, Transition, Upper Sonoran, Lower Sonoran, 
and Tropical. East of the hundredth meridian, which, broadly 
speaking, is the dividing line between the eastern or humid and 
western or arid sections, the Austral zone is known as Austral 
rather than Sonoran, and divided into Alleghanian, Carolinian, and 
Austroriparian Faunas. 

The Alpine Zone lies above the limit of trees, and is characterized 
by dwarf shrubs and plants, the polar bear, arctic fox, reindeer, 
the snow bunting, snowy owl, ptarmigan, pipit, and leucosticte. 

The Hudsonian Zone is marked by dwarfed timber along "the 
northern or higher parts of the great transcontinental coniferous 
forest, . . . stretching from Labrador to Alaska. It is inhabited by 
the wolverine, woodland caribou, moose, great northern shrike, pine 
bullfinch, and white-winged crossbill." 2 On Mt. Shasta its only trees 
are the black alpine hemlock and white -barked pine, its character- 
istic mammal is the cony {Ochotona), and its characteristic bird the 
Clarke crow. It is also frequented by the sooty grouse, western 
goshawk, Williamson sapsucker, rufous hummingbird, Oregon jay, 
pine siskin, junco, Audubon and hermit warblers, creeper, red- 
breasted nuthatch, kinglets, and solitaire.^ 

^ Merriam's " Laws of Temperature Conti'ol of the Geographic Distribution oif Ter- 
restrial Animals and Plants," National Geographic Magazine, vi. 229-238. 

2 Merriam, C. Hart, " Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States," Bull. No. 10, 
Biological Survey ; " Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America," 
Yearbook of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1894. 

3 Merriam, C. Hart, North American Fauna, No. 16, "Result of a Biological Survey 




The clotted parts of the Sonot an Zone'i east ^^^ %^ '^ '^%^/' ' ^^ 
of the Great Plains indicate the vjestern limit ^fcx^^^ ^\ ' " ^^^^ ^'^ 

of the huimd divisions ot thete Zones, m^^^^ t,-.^5?S$jv J^S^^^^S^'^^ 



LIFE ZONES 

BY C. HART MERRIAM 



INTRODUCTION xxxv 

The Canadian Zone comprises " the southern or lower part of the 
great transcontinental coniferous forest." It is the zone of firs, 
spruces, and white pines, which on Mt. Shasta are represented by 
the Shasta fir and the silver pine. One of its characteristic animals 
is the mountain beaver, and it has also the porcupine, pine squirrel, 
bear, wild cat, wolf, and other mammals. It is the home of the 
crossbill, Lincoln sparrow, and Arctic three-toed woodpecker, and 
frequented by birds found in the Hudsonian zone, such as the sooty 
grouse, rufous hummingbird, siskin, juncos, warblers, kinglets, and 
solitaire, together with a number found also in the next lower zone 
(the Transition), such as the white-headed, hairy, and pileated 
woodpeckers, nighthawk, olive-sided, Hammond, Wright, and west- 
ern flycatchers, Steller jay, Louisiana tanager, Macgillivray war- 
bler, and robin. 

The Transition Zone, in which northern and southern elements of 
flora and fauna often overlap, is characterized in the west by the 
yellow pine {Pinus ponderosa), several species of oaks and manza- 
nita, together with buck brush and sage brush. Some of the char- 
acteristic mammals are the big gray pine squirrel, the gray fox, 
and various species of chipmunks, spermophiles, and pocket go- 
phers. Among birds there are the western wood pewee, Gairdner 
woodpecker, Lewis woodpecker, California pygmy owl, green-tailed 
towhee, pygmy nuthatch, red-breasted sapsucker, and Brewer spar- 
row, mixed with many species from the Upper Sonoran, the zone 
below, such as the California jay, valley quail, California wood- 
pecker, and spurred towhee. 

The Upper Sonoran Zone of the west is characterized by junipers, 
pinon, and various oaks, jack rabbits, cottontails, flve-toed kangaroo 
rats, and several species of wood rats, the canyon wren, western lark 
sparrow, California chewink, and California bush-tit, while many 
Transition zone species also occur. 

The Lower Sonoran Zone, coming next above the Tropical zone, 
is the zone of the hot valleys, where live-oaks, mesquites, and creo- 
sote bushes abound, and the characteristic mammals and birds are 
the four-toed kangaroo rat, cotton rat, and spotted skunk, the 
mockingbird, nonpareil, verdin, pyrrhuloxia, road-runner, caracara, 
white-necked raven, phainopepla, and scaled quail. 

of Mt. Shasta ; " North American Fauna, No. 3, " Results of a Biological Survey of San 
Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of the Little Colorado ; " " The Geographic Dis- 
tribution of Life in North America, with Special Reference to the Mammalia," Proc. 
Biol. Soc. Wash. vii. April, 1892, 1-64. 



xxxvi INTRODUCTION 

Birds are naturally less restricted to zones than mammals and 
plants, and in the field the question of correlating them to zones is 
rendered difficult by the modifying conditions which complicate the 
zones themselves. Local conditions are constantly being met which 
produce a change of temperature within a zone, resulting in the 
intrusion of a tongue of a higher or lower zone. Forest fires 
make an artificial change in zones, a Canadian fir forest sometimes 
being replaced by Transition zone chaparral. Natural modifying 
conditions are many, and not always so patent. Slope exposure is 
the most important. If a ridge runs north and south, its southwest- 
ern slope, which receives the hot afternoon sun, will have, we may 
say, a Transition zone flora and fauna, while its cold northeast slope 
will have a Canadian zone flora and fauna. A cold mountain 
stream, on the other hand, will bring down the flora and fauna of 
one or two higher zones ; and Canadian and even Hudsonian plants 
and trees bordering such a stream may thrive on its banks in the 
Transition zone. 

So many other modifying conditions are found that the determi- 
nation of zones is a complex matter, and must be based largely on 
the study of trees and shrubs, as they are the most stable part of the 
life of a region. In relating the flora to the fauna the greatest care 
should be taken with the bird life, as a bird can at will change his 
zone by a few hours' travel. Zonal notes should always be accom- 
panied by dates, as breeding zones alone are of much significance, 
birds wandering widely after the breeding season. The Lewis 
woodpecker is a striking example of this, for, while breeding in 
Transition zone, after the breeding season it wanders up into Cana- 
dian and down even into Lower Sonoran zone in its search for 
mast. Most mountain birds that do not migrate to the south 
change their zones in this way, Canadian zone birds being found in 
Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in fall and winter. 

MIGRATION. 

Many birds wander widely east and west after the breeding sea- 
son, and some even go north for a short distance. With many 
mountain birds the wandering movements after the breeding season 
amount to a vertical migration. Birds, like the grouse and quail 
and certain species of j uncos, that make only a vertical migration 
merely come down from the snow-covered mountains into the warm 
valleys. A number of hummingbirds perform vertical migrations 



INTRODUCTION xxxvii 

between tlieir first and second broods, following the seasons of 
flowers from the valleys where they raise their first broods, to the 
mountain parks, where they rear a second family, retreating rapidly 
down the mountain as soon as the frosts kill the flowers. 

Among land birds a north and south migration is not as vital in 
the west as the east, especially for the seed-eaters, for the lowland 
winters are so mild that the food supply is not as extensively de- 
stroyed as in the east, and accordingly a much larger number of 
birds winter in the valleys of the western states than in the eastern. 
But while the western north and south migratory movement is less 
striking, the absence of winter birds less felt than in the east, the 
vertical migrations, from the superior height of the mountains and 
the preponderance of the mountain ranges, assume great impor- 
tance; and accordingly, while the total winter population may be 
large, the species in a locality will be markedly different in summer 
and winter. 

Careful notes should be taken on all these phases of the migratory 
movements to ascertain the exact migratory habits of each species 
of bird, and the character of the bird population in every season. 

As the mildness of climate which lessens the impulse to south- 
ward migration in the western land birds does not affect the water 
birds breeding in the arctic regions, the southward migration is 
found in full force along the coast. At suitable points, like Mon- 
terey, vast multitudes of birds may be seen passing on their way 
from the arctic regions to the southern seas, and migration waves 
and other phenomena studied to the best advantage. Mr. Loomis's 
observations at Monterey have thrown a great deal of light on this 
most interesting subject, and demonstrated the richness of the field 
for future investigations. 

ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY. 

The question of the food of birds assumes peculiar importance in 
the west from the extent of the fruit ipdustry, and the consequent 
magnitude of the depredations of insect and rodent pests. Birds if 
left to themselves keep down the insect life, and the question is in 
each case if the harm a bird does in eating fruit in June equals the 
good he does the rest of the year in eating scale insects and other 
pests that take off the profits of fruit growing. As it is a matter of 
statistics, observers should make careful field notes on what birds 
are actually seen eating, and especially careful records of the stom- 



xxxviii INTRODUCTION 

ach contents of birds shot. When these cannot be determined with- 
out microscopes and collections of insects and seeds for comparison, 
the stomachs should be sent for examination to Professor F. E. L. 
Beal, of the Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Wash- 
ington, D. C.i In general it may be said that the thousands of 
stomachs which have already been examined have shown that birds 
are divided into three classes, — 

1. Those that are injurious at all times, as the three accipitrine 
hawks, which live mainly on small birds, game, and poultry. 

3. Those that are injurious part of the year and beneficial the 
rest of the time, such as blackbirds that come in hordes in the fall 
and destroy the crops, but which when scattered out over the coun- 
try at other times of the year do an immense amount of good by de- 
stroying injurious insects. 

3. Those that are beneficial at all times, as many hawks and owls 
and a large number of insectivorous and weed-seed-eating birds. 

As Professor Beal says: " If crows or blackbirds are seen in num- 
bers about cornfields, or if woodpeckers are noticed at work in an 
orchard, it is perhaps not surprising that they are accused of doing 
harm. Careful investigation, however, often shows that they are 
actually destroying noxious insects ; and also that even those which 
do harm at one season may compensate for it by eating noxious 
species at another. Insects are eaten at all times by the majority of 
land birds, and during the breeding season most kinds subsist largely 
and rear their young exclusively on this food. When insects are 
unusually plentiful, they are eaten by many birds which do not 
ordinarily touch them. Even birds of prey resort to this diet, and 
when insects are more easily obtained than other fare, the smaller 
hawks and owls live on them almost entirely. This was well illus- 
trated during the recent plague of Rocky Mountain locusts in the 
western states, when it was found that locusts were eaten by nearly 
every bird in the region, and that they formed almost the entire 
food of a large majority of the species. "^ 

1 The Survey will furnish, on application, blank schedules for recording data, tags 
for numbering the stomachs, and franked envelopes for mailing. When collected, the 
stomachs (crops and gizzards) should be placed in alcohol or formalin for at least a 
week. Before forwarding to the department, they should be taken from the fluid, spread 
out on a newspaper, and dried fbr several hours, then placed in a baking powder can or 
cigar box, wrapped with a franked envelope on the outside, and mailed. The collector 
will be reimbursed for the outlay for alcohol, and will receive five cents apiece for a 
limited number of stomachs of certain species. 

- Beal, F. E. L., " Some Common Birds in their Relation to Agriculture," Farmer^S 
.Sw/Ze/m, No. 54, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION xxxix 

As birds are the check nature has put upon insect life, the pro- 
blem is a grave one. How shall we profit by the good offices of 
the birds, and prevent the injury they in turn are capable of doing 
to our crops ? 

In the east Professor Beal has found that birds as a rule prefer 
wild fruit to cultivated, and are drawn away from the orchard and 
garden by the cultivation of wild fruit-bearing bushes. In parts of 
the west the mulberry and elder and pepper are favorite bird foods, 
and might be useful for such purposes. The question is a large one, 
however, and can only be settled by patient study and investiga- 
tion on the part of earnest bird students. 

BIRD PROTECTION. 

By T. S. Palmer. 

Laws for the protection of birds are necessary even in sparsely 
settled regions. No place, however remote, is beyond the reach of the 
market hunter, provided a demand for game or feathers for millinery 
purposes exists, and prices are sufficient to warrant capture of the 
birds. Game birds have been shipped by thousands from the states 
beyond the Missouri River.; pelicans, terns, and gulls have been 
decimated along the gulf coast of Texas; and grebes have been 
slaughtered on their breeding grounds on distant lakes in the interior 
of Oregon, — all to supply eastern markets. To meet such conditions 
every western state and territory now has its game law ; but few 
of these laws protect all the birds within the state, and several of 
them are capable of being improved and made much more effective. 

From the legislative standpoint birds may be divided into three 
categories : (1) Game birds, such as quail and ducks, which are 
hunted at stated seasons for food or sport. (2) Non-game birds, such 
as thrushes and gulls, which are valuable as insect destroyers or 
scavengers, and hence are protected throughout the year. (3) Inju- 
rious species, such as the English sparrow and the great horned 
owl, which are given no protection. Under the definition framed 
by the Committee on Protection of Birds of the American Orni- 
thologists' Union, game birds are restricted to four or five well 
marked groups : the Anatidse, comprising ducks, geese, and swans.; 
the Rallidae, including rails, coots, and gallinules ; the Limicolae, or 
shore birds in general ; the Gallinoe, including quails, pheasants, 
grouse, and wild turkeys ; and (in some states) the Columbae, in- 
cluding wild pigeons and doves. All other birds are classed as 



xl INTRODUCTION 

non-game birds, and the few injurious species are mentioned by- 
name. Such a division provides for all the birds, leaves no ambigu- 
ity as to which may be killed as game, and defines each group in 
the simplest and most satisfactory manner. A game law framed on 
this basis has been adopted with excellent results in some states, 
but in the west is still an ideal toward which to work rather than 
an accomplished fact. California, Colorado, and Nebraska have 
excellent laws for game birds, but they do not provide equally well 
for insectivorous species. Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming 
have comprehensive statutes for non-game birds, but do not afford 
complete protection to all their game birds. 

Game Birds. — Experience has shown that a modern game law 
must do much more than merely prohibit the killing of certain spe- 
cies at stated times. It must regulate methods of hunting, restrict 
shipment and sale, and also prescribe means for carrying its pro- 
visions into execution. It should contain the declaration that all 
wild birds and animals are the property of the state. This fact, 
based on the decisions of the highest courts, is now generally ac- 
cepted, but it is well to have it incorporated in the law, as is the 
case in the game laws of Colorado, Texas, and other states. Next in 
importance is a comprehensive definition of game birds like that 
given above. Another important point not fully appreciated is that 
a law which proMMts killing certain species is much less effective 
and permanent than one which simply permits, by declaring that it 
shall be unlawful to kill or have in possession ' any birds except as 
hereinafter provided.' This simple statement renders the law to a 
certain extent automatic, since all birds will be protected until pro- 
vided with an open season. Changes in season, the bane of game 
legislation, cannot be made so readily without attracting attention, 
and if, as often happens, a proposed change in season fails of enact- 
ment, the species is left with complete protection instead of being 
without protection as under the old method. Little need be said as 
to seasons except that they should conform as nearly as possible to 
those of adjoining states. With improved guns, smokeless powder, 
and other modern appliances for hunting, no state can afford to 
maintain an open season from the time the birds are mature until 
they begin to breed the following year, for no species can withstand 
such an ordeal and not be locally exterminated in a few years. Open 
seasons are constantly growing shorter, and as they undergo change 
should be shifted to correspond more and more closely with those of 
other states. Above all, spring shooting should be abolished, and 



INTRODUCTION xli 

the close season begin as near the first of January as possible. Big 
guns are very properly made illegal, and an unsuccessful attempt 
was recently made in California to prevent the use of magazine or 
' pump guns,' on the ground that they were too destructive. The 
same might be said of the air gun or parlor rifle, which in the 
hands of the reckless small boy is not only an effective but a dan- 
gerous weapon of destruction. Night hunting in all its forms, bait- 
ing, pursuing game with launches or even sailboats, are condemned 
by true sportsmen, and should all be prohibited. Trapping and 
netting should likewise be made illegal, but with some provision for 
taking a reasonable number of birds for propagation under the super- 
vision of competent state officers. Restrictions on the trade are 
becoming more general and more necessary every year. Prohibition 
of shipment out of the state is effective if it can be enforced, and it 
can be made easier to enforce if transportation of all game for market 
purposes is prohibited, as is done in Iowa and Texas, but with some 
provision for carrying a limited amount of game for private pur- 
poses. Sale is the kejmote to the situation, and if it can be pro- 
hibited the question of protection will be greatly simplified. It is 
now prohibited in a number of states, and probably the day is not 
far distant when most if not all game birds will be withdrawn from 
sale. 

Non-game Birds. — Even more important than -laws for the pro- 
tection of game birds (because applying to a much larger number 
of species) are the statutes for the preservation of birds which are 
not game, and which apply to ' song,' 'insectivorous,' and ' plume' 
birds. In order to accomplish their purpose they must be compre- 
hensive, and as already stated they should cover all birds except 
game birds and a few injurious species mentioned by name. If 
made applicable to certain species, or even to song, insectivorous, or 
plume birds, some species are sure \o be omitted, and often these 
will be the very ones most in need of protection. Not only killing, 
but also nest robbing, trapping, possession, shipment, and sale 
should be prohibited. The traffic in cage birds, unless checked by 
strict regulations, may sometimes decimate certain species, particu- 
larly those distinguished for their vocal powers or bright colors. A 
provision prohibiting possession of plumage or ' any part of a bird ' 
is necessary to prevent sale of birds for millinery purposes, and 
overcome the objection which is sometimes raised that prohibitions 
against the killing and possession of a bird do not apply to its 
plumage or to one of its wings when used as a hat decoration. 



xlii INTRODUCTION 

On the other hand, provision must be made for collecting birds 
for scientific purposes, both for educational institutions and for 
private collections, and also for keeping birds in captivity for study 
or as pets. These requirements can readily be met by having per- 
mits issued under the supervision of some state officer to properly 
accredited collectors and students. In case it is desirable to allow 
certain birds to be kept in captivity, sale and shipment out of the 
state should be prohibited in order to avoid abuse of the privilege 
and prevent wholesale bird-trapping for market, i 

Injurious Species. — In every state there are a few injurious spe- 
cies from which protection should be withdrawn. In general these 
species comprise the English sparrow, great horned owl, goshawk, 
duck hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper hawk, crow, linnet or 
house finch, and occasionally some of the blackbirds. Sweeping 
provisions excluding hawks and owls from protection should be 
carefully avoided, as most of the species are beneficial, and a clause 
covering birds of prey in general without naming the injurious 
species will result chiefly in the destruction of those which are bene- 
ficial. It is useless to attempt anything more by legislation than 
simple removal of protection. No means have yet been devised by 
which an injurious species can be legislated out of existence, and the 
various methods which have been advocated have almost uniformly 
resulted in failure. Bounties for birds and eggs have little effect 
except to drain the state or county treasury. The Colorado hawk 
bounty, which was in force from 1877 to 1885, seems to have re- 
sulted chiefly in the diminution of the sparrow hawk, one of the 
most useful birds in destroying grasshoppers. ^ The Utah bounty on 
English sparrows, in force since 1888, has not exterminated the spar- 
row in the state, and the provision of 1896, offering five cents per 
dozen for eggs, must have resulted disastrously to the native birds, 
for a year or two after it went into effect reports showed that in 
Weber County alone payments had been made on 990 dozen (nearly 
12,000) eggs, while during the same period only 640 sparrows had 
been presented for bounty. The sparrow bounties in Illinois and 
Michigan and the hawk and owl bounty in Pennsylvania all failed 
to accomplish their objects, although each cost the state from 
$50,000 to $100,000. The expense attending bounty legislation can 
be readily illustrated by the records of payments for coyotes and 

1 The bill prepared by the Committee on Protection of Birds of the American Orni- 
thologists' Union covers all of these points. See " Legislation for the Protection of 
Birds other than Game Birds," Bulletin No. 12, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agricul- 
ture, pp. 56-60, 1902. 



INTRODUCTION xliii 

wolves in Wyoming, Montana, and California. The coyote bounty 
law in California remained in force only four years, but actually cost 
the state $187,485, while the claims filed aggregated about $400,000.1 
In the west bounties on birds are now paid only in Utah and Oregon, 
and in the latter state are restricted to cormorants and sheldrakes. 

Enforcement. — The enforcement of game laws depends largely on 
public sentiment. Although most of the western states have game 
wardens, the laws are not enforced as they should be. Better results 
are attained where local wardens are under the authority of a state 
officer or state board. Unfortunately the liberal appropriations neces- 
sary to meet the expenses incident to warden service are not often 
available, but game protection might be made almost self-support- 
ing if the money derived from licenses, fines, sale of contraband 
game, and similar sources, were all turned into a state game pro- 
tection fund instead of going into several different funds, no one of 
which is available for work of this kind. 

A potent influence in bird protection is the federal law popularly 
known as the Lacey Act, which went into effect on May 25, 1900. 
Under this act interstate commerce in birds killed in violation of 
local laws is prohibited, and through cooperation between federal 
and state authorities statutes which were formerly dead letters are 
now being enforced. The chief value of the law, however, lies in 
the interest in protection which it has aroused throughout the coun- 
try even among persons who formerly gave the subject no thought. 
Largely through its influence game protection is now being estab- 
lished on broader lines, rapid progress is being made in legislation, 
and the laws are better observed than ever before. 



LOCAL LISTS. 

LIST OF BIRDS IN THE VICINITY OF PORTLAND, OREGON. 

By a. W. Anthony. 

The country embraced in this list is about ten square miles in 
extent. The region between the city of Portland and the Columbia 
River perhaps furnishes most of the species, and is farming land 
diversified by forest land, brush patches, and low wet meadows, 
which in winter are ponds upon which are found all of our species 

1 See Palmer, "Extermination of Noxious Animals by Bounties," Yearbook Dept. 
Agr. for 1896, pp. 55-68. 



xliv INTRODUCTION 

of waterfowl. The liigli liills west of the city arc less prolific. The 
heavy forest is cleared in places, offering homes for such species as 
white-crowned sparrows, juucos, and wrens, while the woodpeckers 
and forest-loving species dwell in the undisturbed parts of the region, 
which is as wild as a hundred years ago. Here also is found the 
russet-backed thrush nesting in the thickets and deep ravines. 

Coli/inbus nigricollis californicus : Eared Grebe. — Rather common on the 
ponds along' the Columbia. 

Podilymhus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common with the eared grebe. 

Gavia imher : Loon. — Seen only as a inigi-ant. 

Larus glaucescens : Glancons-winged Gull. — Five species of gull are seen 
along the river during the winter, but the glaucous-winged is the com- 
monest. 

Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. 

Larus californicus : California Gull. 

Larus delatvarensis : Ring-billed Gull. 

Jjarus hrachyrhynchus : Short-billed Gull ('?). 

Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant, — In the 
winter a species is found on the river about Portland, which is probably 
the white-crested, but as no specimens have been taken I am in doubt 
about it. 

Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A common winter visitor. 

Lophodytes cuctdlatus : Hooded Merganser. — A winter visitant, less com- 
mon til an the red-breasted. 

Anas boschas : Mallard. — Very common. 

Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall. — The gadwall and the baldpate are 
about equally common, but less so than most of the ducks found. 

Mareca americana : Baldpate. 

Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common during fall and winterc, 

Dqfila acuta : Pintail. — Common during fall and winter. 

Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer resident, A few winter 
about Portland. 

Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common in fall and winter. 

Aythya. vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Connnon in fall and winter. 

Chen hyperhorea : Lesser Snow Goose. — One or more species of snow 
geese are comnion. During mild winters all tlie ducks and geese are 
apt to winter about Portland, but a hard season drives them south. 

Anser allrifrons gamheli : White-fronted Goose. — Common migrant. 

Branta canadensis minima: Cackling Goose. — Two or more races of 
canadetisis are common, but the only species I have taken is the cack- 
ling goose. 

Olor columbianus : Whistling Swan. — Not uncommon migrant and winter 
resident. 

Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common in summer ; a few winter. 

Ardea virescens : Green Heron. — A few herons seen, probably of this 
species. 

Grus canadensis : Little Brown Crane. — Common fall migrant, but very 
i-are in spring. 

Rallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Like the sora, n)ore or less common, 
nesting in wet bottoms. 

Porzana Carolina : Sora. 

Fulica americana : Coot. — Not very abundant ; nests. 



INTRODUCTION xlv 

Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant for a few days during 
migration. 

Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Migrant ; less common 
than the least or western sandpipers. 

Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant during migration 
for a few days. 

Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Migrant ; not uncommon. 

Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Rather rare mi- 
grant. 

JEgialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common summer resident. 

Oreortyx pictus : Mountain Partridge. — Common resident. 

Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus : Sooty Grouse. — Common resident. 

Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Not uncommon in suitable local- 
ities, but rare near Portland. 

Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Common summer resident. 

Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Common summer resident. 

Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Rare. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common, especially during mi- 
grations. 

Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common. 

Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red- tail. — Common. 

Ilaliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Seen at times along the river. 

Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Seen only once or twice. 

Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk. 

Falco columbarius suckleyi : Black Merlin. — The pigeon hawk and the 
black merlin are, perhaps, equally common ; more common during fall 
and winter. 

Megascops asio kennicottii : Kennicott Screech Owl. — Quite common 
among the oaks along the river. 

Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dusky Horned Owl. — Not uncommon in 
heavy timber. 

Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — A few have been taken near Portland in 
winter. 

Glaucidium gnoma californicum : California Pygmy Owl. — Rather cora- 
mon ; often seen in the daytime. 

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare ; a few seen 
in low marshy places along the Columbia. 

Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Quite common along all water- 
courses. 

Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Common in all tim- 
ber. 

Bryobates pubescens gairdnerii : Gairdner Woodpecker. — Common in all 
timber. 

Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis : Northern Red-breasted Sapsucker. — Com- 
mon ; more often seen in alder or dogwood than in fir growth. 

Ceophloeus pileatus abieticola : Northern Pileated Woodpecker. — Less com- 
mon than formerly, but still foTind in heavy fir growth. 

Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Common summer resident. 

Colaptes cafer saturatior : Northwestern Flicker. — Abundant resident. 
The flickers of this region are not constant to any race. 

Phalcenoptilus nuttallii californicus : Dusky Poor-will. — -, A poor-will has 
been described to me. 

Chord eiles virginianus : Nighthawk. — Common summer resident. 

Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Rather common summer resident. 

Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Very common summer resi- 
dent. 



xlvi INTRODUCTION 

Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas King'bird. — A king-bird is found at Port- 
land, but is rare, and the species not determined. 

Contopus horealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Common in tall firs. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Very common every- 
where ; often seen in shade trees about the city. 

Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Probably taken in migra- 
tion. 

Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Very common in alder and 
vine maple thickets. 

Alauda arvensis : Skylark. — Introduced. Common in open fields on the 
east side of the river ; not seen elsewhere. 

Otocoris alpestris strigata : Streaked Horned Lark. — Not uncommon in 
suitable localities. 

Pica pica hudsonica : American Magpie. — Not common ; a few are found 
along the Columbia. 

Cyanocitta stelleri : Steller Jay. — Common everywhere in the region of 
Portland. 

Aphelocoma calif ornica : California Jay. — Rare ; more common during 
migrations. 

Perisoreus obscurus : Oregon Jay. — Rare. 

Corvus caurinus : Northwest Crow (?). — Crows are abundant, but species 
not determined. 

Sturnus vulgaris : Starling. — Introduced ; still rare. 

Agdaius phceniceus caurinus : Northwestern Redwing. — More or less com- 
mon. 

Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Abundant resident. 

Icterus hxdlocki : Bullock Oriole. — Rather common in cottonwoods and 
oaks along the river. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident ; 
more common in open fields. 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Abun- 
dant winter resident, flocking about the maples in the streets ; remark- 
ably tame. 

Carpodacus purpureus calif ornicus : California Purple Finch. — Common in 
fields about the city. 

Loxia curvirostra minor : Crossbill, -r- Rare. 

Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Abundant. 

Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Not uncommon. 

Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Not uncommon ; nests about the city in 
large firs (?). 

Passer domesticus : English sparrow. — Abundant in the city. 

Pooecetes gramineus affinis : Oregon Vesper Sparrow. — Common in open 
fields. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis : Sandwich Sparrow. — Specimens taken dur- 
ing migrations were nearer this form than any other, but not typical. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- 
mon in cultivated fields. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Common during mi- 
grations. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Abundant summer 
resident ; nests in thickets and low brush. 

Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common during migra- 
tion for a few days. 

Spizella socialis arizoncB : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Abundant sum- 
mer resident. 

Junco hyemalis oreganus : Oregon Junco. — Abundant resident. 



INTRODUCTION xlvii 

Melospiza melodia morphna : Rusty Song Sparrow. — Abundant resident. 

Melospiza lincolnii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — A sparrow probably of 
this species seen a few times during migrations. 

Passerella iliaca annectens : Yakutat Fox Sparrow. — Common winter resi- 
dent ; usually seen with rusty sparrows. 

Pipilo maculatus oregonus : Oregon Towhee. — Common resident ; found in 
thickets all about the city. 

Cardinalis cardinalis : Cardinal. — Several males were released by a dealer 
a few years ago and are still seen in the residence part of the city. 

Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon. 

Cyanospiza anioena : Lazuli Bunting. — Common along the bottom lands 
of the Columbia. 

Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in the firs and alders, 
nesting in the firs. 

Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Not common. 

Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common. 

Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Not common. 

Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Not common. 

Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Very 
abundant ; nesting in barns and outhouses, entering through knot- 
holes. 

Riparia riparia : Bank Swallow (?). 

Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Of the bank and 
rough-wing one or both have been seen, but neither is common. 

Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Common summer resident. 

Lanitis borealis : Northern Shrike. — Rare winter visitant. 

Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common ; nests in the alder and dog- 
wood thickets. 

Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Common with the warbling. 

Vireo huttoni obscurus : Anthony Vireo. — Rare ; seen only about oaks. 

Dendroica cestiva : Yellow W^arbler. — Very common everywhere about 
the city. 

Dendroica coronnta : Myrtle Warbler. — Rare migrant. 

Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Common ; nests in the small 
firs. 

Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer 
resident. 

Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Not rare. 

Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Not rare. 

Geothlypis trichas arizela : Pacific Coast Yellow-throat. — Common in open 
fields about the water. 

Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Rare ; seen only a few 
times. 

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Common summer resi- 
dent. 

Anthus pensilvanicus : Pipit. — Common winter resident. 

Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — Rare. 

Thryonianes bewickii calophonus : Vigors Wren. — Common resident. 

Troglodytes aedon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Common summer resi- 
dent. 

Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Resident ; com- 
mon in deep shaded thickets. 

Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Not uncommon in the 
marshes along the Columbia. 

Certhia familiaris occidentalis : Californian Creeper. — Resident in the fir 
forests ; not rare. 



xlviii INTRODUCTION 

Sitta carolinensis acM?eato ; Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common. 

Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Common fall migrant ; does 
not seem to be so abundant in spring. 

Parus atricapillus occidentalis : Oregon Chickadee. — "Very common resi- 
dent. 

Parus rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Common resident. 

Psaltriparus minimus : Bush-Tit. — Abundant resident. 

Regidus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant 
winter resident. 

Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Common migrant. 

Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Seen once or twice in the 
residence part of the city. 

Hylocichla ustidata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Common in the city and 
wooded thickets along the river, 

Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — A few seen during migra- 
tions. 

Merula wigratoria propinqiia : Western Robin. — Abundant ; a few win- 
ter. 

Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Abundant winter resident. 

Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common. 

LIST OF WATER BIRDS OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY. 
By William H. Kobbe. 

yEchmophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — Abundant throughout the 
winter and spring. 

Colymbus holboellii : Holboell Grebe. — Rare ; two Avinter visitants taken. 

Colymbus auritus : Horned Grebe. — Common winter visitant. 

Colymbus nigricollis californicus : American Eared Grebe. — Winter vis- 
itant, most commonly at Oakland and Alameda. 

Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common in the fall; probably 
resident in favorable situations. 

Gavia imber : Loon. — Spring migrant. 

Gavia pacijica : Pacific Loon. — Common winter visitant. 

Gavia lumme : Red-throated Loon. — Winter visitant ; abundant about 
Oakland. 

Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus : Paroquet Auklet. — Winter visitant. 

Synthliborampkus antiquus : Ancient Murrelet. — Winter visitant. 

Brachyramphus marmoratus : Marbled Murrelet. — Taken off Goat Island 
by Bryant. 

Uria troile calif ornica : California Murre. — Visitant ; mainly fall, winter, 
and spring ; probably occurs in summer. 

Stercorarius parasiticus : Parasitic Jaeger, — Fall migrant. 

Rissa tridactyla pollicaris : Pacific Kittiwake. — Winter visitant. 

Larus delawarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Common about Oakland from 
the last of autumn until summer. 

Larus glaucus : Glaucous Gull. — One noted by Cooper {Proc. Cal. Acad- 
emy of Sciences, iv. 9-10) and one seen by Kobb^. 

Larus glaucescens : Glaucous-winged Gull, — Abundant winter visitant. 

Larus occidentalis : Western Gull. — Abundant resident. 

Larus argentatus : Herring Gull. — Abundant winter visitant. 

Larus vegcE : Vega Gull. — Abundant winter visitant. 

Larus caJifornicus : California Gull, — Abundant resident. 

Larus brachyrhynchus : Short-billed Gull. — Abundant from November to 
February. 



INTRODUCTION xlix 

Larus canus : Mew Gull. — Very abundant from November into February. 

Larus heermanni : Heermann Gull. — Abundant on bay in summ^er, rare in 
winter. 

Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — Common winter visitant. 

Xema sabinii : Sabine Gull. — One taken by Lorquin, October (10 ?). 

Sterna caspia : Caspian Tern. -- One taken by Bryant, December 2. 

Sterna maxima : Royal Tern. — One taken at Oakland by Bryant, August 
27. 

Sterna elegans : Elegant Tern. — One taken by Lansing, September 17. 

Sterna for steri : Forster Tern. — Winter visitant. 

Diomedea albatrus : Short-tailed Albatross. — One taken near Goat Island 
by Bryant, March 10. 

Fulmarus glacialis glupischa: Pacific Fulmar. — Winter visitant. 

Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Occurs in 
winter. 

Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus : Farrallone Cormorant. — Ccrmmon 
resident. 

Phalacrocorax penicillatus : Brandt Cormorant. —Common resident. 

Phalacrocorax pelagicus : Pelagic Cormorant. — Common resident. 

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : American White Pelican. — Rather rare win- 
ter visitant. 

Pelecanus calif ornicus : California Brown Pelican. — Common winter 
visitant. 

Merganser americanus : American Merganser. — Winter visitant. 

Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — Spring and fall migrant. 

Anas boschas : Mallard. — Winter visitant in all marshes bordering bay. 

Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oakland. 

Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common in winter throughout 
the bay region. 

Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Taken at Vallejo by Golcher. 

Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Winter visitant at Vallejo. 

Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Winter visitant. 

Dafla acuta : Pintail. — Fall and winter visitant at Miller, Marin County, 
and Vallejo. 

Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Taken by Slevin at Cordelia, November 8. 

Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Abundant winter visitant at Vallejo. 

Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant to all parts of bay. 

Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Winter visitant at Vallejo and Oak- 
land. 

Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Two taken by Hornung, February 5. 

Clangula clangula americana : American Golden-eye. — Fall and winter 
visitant. 

Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Two taken by Bryant, Novem- 
ber 16 and December 3. 

Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — Winter visitant. 

Oidemia perspicillata : Surf Scoter. — Common winter visitant. 

Oidemia deglandi : White-winged Scoter. — Common winter visitant. 

Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Found in lagoons from October 
until the middle of February. 

All California 'geese occur in greater or less abundance in the inner 
portions of the bay. 

Olor columbianus : Whistling Swan. — One taken by Kellogg at Cordelia, 
December 18. 

Botaurus lentiginosus : American Bittern. — One taken by Bryant and one 
by Hornung. I have found it fairly common in the marshes. 

Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Breeds at Alameda : resident. 



1 INTRODUCTION 

Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Blaek-crowned Night Heron. — Abundant 
at Alameda in winter ; also a colony at Tiberone ; resident. 

Ballus obsoletus : California Clapper Rail. — Abundant in marshes border- 
ing the bay in fall and early winter. 

Rallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Fall migrant. 

Porzana noveboracensis : Yellow Rail. — Two taken by Bryant in Decem- 
ber. 

Porzana jamaicensis : Black Rail. — Locally common in winter; probably 
breeds. 

Fulica americana : American Coot. — Common everywhere ; resident. 

Crymophilus fulicarius : Red Phalarope. — Found commonly, especially in 
calmer waters on bay, from October to January. 

Phalaropus lohatus : Northern Phalorope. — Fall migrant. 

Becurvirostra americana : American Avoeet. — Reported from Redwood 
City (Slevin). 

Himantopus mexicartus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fall and winter migrant at 
Miller, Marin Co. 

Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fall, winter, and spring visitant. 

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus : Long-billed Dowitcher. — Fall and early win- 
ter visitant. 

Tringa maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — One taken by Bryant, October 8. 

Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Abundant in fall and winter. 

Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Abundant from the 
middle of October till the middle of May. 

Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Abundant migrant. 

Calidris arenaria : Sanderling. — Common migrant at Oakland. 

Limosa fedoa : Marbled Godwit. — Fall and winter visitant. 

Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Winter visitant. 

Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Two 
taken by Bryant, April and September. 

Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. ~ Common in sum- 
mer (Bryant). 

Heteractitis incanus : Wandering Tatler. — Two taken by Kobb^ in Sep- 
tember. 

Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Taken at Tiberone and Angel 
Island in May arid November. 

Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Common at Oakland in 
August (Bryant). 

Numenius hudsonicus : Hudsonian Curlew. — Taken at Oakland in August 
and September (Bryant). 

Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Fall and winter visitant. 

Charadrius dominicus : American Golden Plover. — Taken at Vallejo and 
Menlo Park (Hornung). 

^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common everywhere in fall, winter, and 
spring. 

^gialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Taken on Presidio beach (Slevin). 

Arenaria melanocephala : Black Turnstone. — Two records from Angel 
Island. 



INTRODUCTION 



LIST OF BIRDS OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY AND SANTA 
CRUZ MOUNTAINS, EXCLUSIVE OF WATER BIRDS. 

By Walter K. Fisher. 

Resident = Permanent resident. 

Winter visitant z=i Winter resident. 

Summer visitant = Breeding bird not occurring in winter. 

The country covered by this list includes practically all of the 
Santa Clara Valley and the northern half of the Santa Cruz Moun- 
tains. The Santa Cruz Mountains send a long spur northward to 
form the backbone of the San Francisco peninsula. This ridge has 
numerous lateral spurs, particularly toward the sea. On the east 
the mountains slope down into low foothills rather abruptly, and 
these foothills gradually merge into the floor of the valley, which, 
north of San Jose, is largely occupied by the bay of San Francisco 
and its environing marsh. To the east of the bay is the Mount 
Hamilton range. 

To the Transition zone belong most of the Santa Cruz Moun- 
tains, and the country between them and the seacoast. In the 
mountains are magnificent stretches of redwood forest, mixed with 
Douglas spruce, tan-bark oak, and madrone, and underbrush of 
evergreen huckleberry, myrtle, azalea, rhododendron, wild lilac 
(Ceanothus thyrsijloims), and several species of manzanita. 

The Upper Sonoran zone includes all the main foothill region and 
many of the outlying spurs of the Santa Cruz Mountains, much of 
the Mount Hamilton range, and the greater part of the floor of the 
valley. The valley contains an infusion of Lower Sonoran ele- 
ments, but the proximity of the sea, with its tempering breezes, 
many high fogs during summer, and a rather heavy rainfall (for a 
valley), so reduces the total quantity of heat for the year that the 
region is really a peculiar humid Upper Sonoran, or perhaps a mix- 
ture of the two Sonoran zones. Characteristic valley types are the 
white oak {Quercus lobata), blue oak {Q. douglasii), valley live-oak 
{Q. agrifoUa), bay tree, buckeye, Christmas berry {Heteromeles arhu 
tifolia) , and sycamore. In the Mount Hamilton range is found the 
digger pine, and on many of the foothills of this range and of the 
Santa Cruz, chamiso (Adenostoma fasciculatum), sage (Ai'temisia 
calif ornica), highland 02i^{Quercus wisUzeni), scrub oak(^. dumosa), 
ceanothus, and various manzanitas form large areas of dense chap- 
arral. 



Hi INTRODUCTION 

The broad Salicornia marshes surrounding the bay support a 
rather numerous fauna that does not occur inland. 

Lopkortyx californicus : California Partridge. — Abundant resident in hills 
and valleys. 

Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Autumn and winter visitant. 

Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Summer visitant ; occasionally 
seen in winter ; open valleys. 

Gymnogyps californianus : California Vulture. — Occasional visitant in 
Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Cathartes aura : Turkey Buzzard. — Summer visitants of valley and moun- 
tain. 

Elanus leucurus : White-tailed Kite. — Resident among oak groves of the 
valley. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant. 

Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Occasional transient visitant. 

Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — A resident of the marshes about San 
Francisco bay. 

Buteo horealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident of the val- 
ley and mountains. 

Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Rare resident of the valley. 

Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Rare transient visitant. 

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : American Rough-legged Hawk. — 
Rare transient visitant. 

Archibuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg. — Irregular winter vis- 
itant near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck). 

Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Common resident of valley and foot- 
hills. 

Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Occasional visitant. 

Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Common resident. 

Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Occasional winter visitant in valley ; 
resident near Santa Cruz. 

Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Marshes. 

Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant. 

Strix pratincola : Barn Owl. — Common resident in valley. 

Asia wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — Recorded from Santa Cruz Moun- 
tains. 

Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Common resident on the broad 
marshes about San Francisco bay. 

Megascops asio bendirei : California Screech Owl. — Common resident. 

Bubo virginianus pacijicus : Pacific Horned Owl. — Permanent resident of- 
the valleys. 

Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — Common resident of the 
low valleys. 

Glaucidium gnoma californicum : California Pygmy Owl. — A fairly com- 
mon but inconspicuous resident of the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Uncommon resident in hot val- 
leys. 

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Summer visitant in 
heavy thickets. 

Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Resident along the larger streams. 

Dryobates villosus harrisii : Harris Woodpecker. — Resident in Santa Cruz 
Mountains. 

Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii : Gairdner Woodpecker. — Common resident 
in Santa Cruz Mountains, and breeds sparingly in valley. 



INTRODUCTION liii 

Bryohates nuttallii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Recorded from Mount Ham- 
ilton. 

Sphyrapicus ruber: Red-breasted Sapsucker. — Fairly common winter 
visitant, principally to Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Melanerpesforndcivorus bairdi : California Woodpecker. — Abundant resi- 
dent among" the oaks of the valleys. 

Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Winter visitant. 

Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Abundant resident. 

Phalcenoptilus nuttallii calif ornicus : Dusky Poor- will. — Uncommon resi- 
dent. 

Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Summer visitant among redwoods ; ocea- 
sianally seen in valley. 

Aeronautes melanoleucus : White-throated Swift. — Occasionally seen in 
migration ; breeds near Santa Cruz. 

Calypte anna : Anna Humming'bird. — Abundant resident in valleys. 

Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Occurs plentifully in the 
spring as a migrant. 

Selasphorus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — Abundant summer visitant in 
valley and hills. 

Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rather common summer vis- 
itant. 

Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Summer visitant. 

Sayornis saya: Say Phoebe. — Rather common winter visitant. 

Sayornis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Phcebe. — Common resident. 

Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in Santa 
Cruz Mountains ; not common. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer vis- 
itant. 

Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant. 

Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Summer visitant in willow 
patches along creeks. 

Otocoris alpestris chrysolcema : Mexican Horned Lark. — Common in the 
open valley. 

Pica nuttalli : Yellow-billed Magpie. — Resident in colonies south of San 



Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea : ^ Coast Jay. — Abundant permanent resi- 
dent in Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Abundant resident. 

Corvus americanus : American Crow. — Resident in southern part of Santa 
Clara valley. 

Agelaius gubernator californicus : Bicolored Blackbird. — Breeds abun- 
dantly in meadows bordering marshes. 

Agelaius tricolor : Trieolored Blackbird. — Occurs locally ; rare. 

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Breeds in the 
marshes south of San Jos^. 

Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. Abundant permanent 
resident. 

Icterus bullocki: Bullock Oriole. — Resident for nesting season ; common. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant permanent 
resident. 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Occa- 
sional winter visitants in flocks. 

Carpodacus purpureus californicus : California Purple Finch. — Common 
resident in valley and mountains. 

1 A form commonly called frontalis, but really closer to typical stelleri than to the 
Sierran form. 



liv INTRODUCTION 

Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant resident. 
Astragalinus tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Resident in willows 

and mustard patches. 
Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident. 
Astragalinus lawrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — A rare summer visitant, 

and erratic in its visits. 
Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Resident in the Santa Cruz Mountains ; mi- 
grant in valley. 
Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — 

Abundant fall and winter visitant in valley fields. 
Ammodramus sandwichensis hryanti : Bryant Marsh Sparrow. — Abundant 

resident in marshes about San Francisco bay. 
Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — 

Recorded from near San Jos^ (R. H. Beck). 
Ammodramus nelsoni : Nelson Sparrow. — Two records from Milpitas 

marshes. 
Pooecetes gramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Recorded from 

near San Jos^ (McGregor). 
Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Commoner on 

the east than on the west side of the bay. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Abundant winter vis- 
itant, leaving in April, 
Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli : Nuttall Sparrow. — Resident in damp 

coast belt ; winter visitant in Santa Clara valley. 
Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — An abundant winter 

visitant. 
Spizella socialis arizoncB : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Not a very com- 
mon resident. 
Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Winter visitant ; not common. 
Junco hyemalis pinosus : Point Pinos Junco. — Resident in Santa Cruz 

Mountains, and south in humid coast belt ; commonest junco in valleys 

in winter. 
Amphispiza belli: Bell Sparrow. — Said to breed near Los Gatos (J. Van 

Denburgh). 
Aimophila ruficeps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Resident, locally, on east 

side of valley in sage-brush districts. 
Melospiza melodia heermanni : Heermann Song Sparrow. — Resident in 

southernmost portions of Santa Clara valley uplands. 
Melospiza rnelodia santcecrucis : ^ Santa Cruz Song Sparrow. — Common 

permanent resident along streams flowing into San Francisco bay and 

into Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Melospiza melodia pusillula.^ — Resident in Salicornia marshes about San 

Francisco bay. 
Melospiza melodia morphna : Rusty Song Sparrow. — Winter visitant in 

Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow, — Winter visitant. 
Melospiza lincolnii striata : Forbush Sparrow. — Casual winter visitant ; 

marshes. 
Passer ella iliaca unalaschcensis : Townsend Sparrow. — Common winter 

visitant in valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Abundant resident in 

valley and in Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Pipilo fuscus crissalis : California Towhee. — Abundant resident in valley 

and mountains. 

^ A local race not yet acted upon by A. O. U. committee. 



INTRODUCTION Iv 

Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Abundant spring- 
and summer visitant ; departs after nesting-. 

Cyanospiza amcena : Lazuli Bunting-. — A common summer visitant during- 
nesting season. 

Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Occurs in Santa Cruz Moun- 
tains during migrations. 

Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Reported from Mount Hamilton 
range. 

Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitant. 

Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Summer resident. 

Tachycineta hicolor : Tree Swallow. — Abundant in spring and summer ; 
rare in winter. 

Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow. — Common 
summer visitant. 

Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Reported as breed- 
ing at San Jos^ (J. Van Denburgh) ; migrant at Palo Alto. 

Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Irregular winter visitant. 

Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Recorded from near San Jos^. 

Lanius ludovicianus gambeli : California Shrike. — Abundant resident in 
valley. 

Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common sunamer visitant. 

Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Abundant resident in Santa Cruz Moun- 
tains ; common summer visitant in valley. 

Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Summer visitant in Santa Cruz 
Mountains. 

Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Summer visitant on 
chaparral slopes of Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Dendroica cestiva : Yellow Warbler. — Abundant summer resident. 

Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant winter visitant. 

Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rather common winter visitant. 

Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Reported from 
Mount Hamilton Range. 

Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Common winter visitant in 
Santa Cruz Mountains and about Monterey Bay. 

Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Occurs rarely during migra- 
tions. 

Geothlypis tolmiei : Tolmie Warbler. — Recorded from Los Gatos ; rare. 

Geothlypis trichas sinuosa : ^ Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds about edges 
of marshes of San Francisco Bay. 

Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Summer visitant along water- 
courses. 

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Common in copses and 
willow thickets. 

Anthus pensilvanicus : American Pipit. — Abundant during winter months. 

Cinclus mexicanus : Water Ouzel. — Permanent resident on streams in 
Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Occasional visitant 
at Stanford University. 

Toxostoma redivivum : Calif ornian Thrasher. — Common resident in thickets. 

Salpinctes ohsoletus : Rock Wren. — Permanent resident in eastern and 
southern valley foothills, in dry, rocky places. 

Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Breeds in foot- 
hills east of San Jos^. 

1 Occidentalis of authors. This form has not been acted upon by the A. O. U. com- 
mittee. It is nearer arizela than occidentalis. 



Ivi INTRODUCTION 

Thryomanes hewickii spilurus : Vigors Wren. — Common resident. 
Troglodytes a'edon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Summer visitant among 

live-oaks. 
Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacijicus : Western Winter Wren. — Resident in the 

Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Resident on Salicornia 

marshes ; breeds in scirpus patches altogether. 
Certhia familiaris occidentalis : Californian Creeper. — Resident in Santa 

Cruz Mountains. 
Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Resident in Santa 

Cruz Mountains ; oaks. 
Parus inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Permanent resident among live, white, 

and blue oaks. 
Parus rufescens harlowi : ^ Barlow Chickadee. — Resident in Santa Cruz 

Mountains, migrating to the valleys in winter. 
Chamcea fasciata intermedia : "^ Wren-Tit. — Common permanent resident of 

Santa Cruz Mountains and of valley. Found usually on chaparral hills. 
Psaltriparus minimus californicus : California Bush-Tit. — Common perma- 
nent resident. 
Begulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Winter 

visitant in Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant in 

valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Regulus calendula grinnelli : Sitkan Kinglet. — Winter visitant to Santa Cruz 

Mountains and to Monterey. 
Polioptila ccerulea obscura : Western Gnatcatcher. — Recorded from near 

Mount Hamilton. 
Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visitant 

to Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Abundant summer visitant, 

arriving in April. 
Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant in 

valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. 
Hylocichla guttata slevini : ^ Monterey Hermit Thrush. — Summer visitant 

in Santa Cruz Mountains, south in humid belt, along coast. 
Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — A very abundant winter 

visitant. 
Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant : November 

till last of March. 
Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common resident. 
Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Rare or casual winter visitant. 



LIST OF BIRDS TO BE LOOKED FOR IN THE VICINITY OF 

PASADENA. 

By Joseph Grinnell. 

This list includes only such species as are believed to be of more 

or less regular occurrence within a radius of ten miles of Pasadena. 

1 A form occupying the Santa Cruz Mountain district and distinguished from neglectus 
"by absence of brown on flanks. 

2 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (P. M.^B.) 

3 This remarkable little thrush has been recently described by Joseph Grinnell, and 
can be at once distinguished by its very small size and pale coloring. {The Auk, July, 
1901, xviii. 258.) 



INTRODUCTION Ivii 

This area consists of 'mountains' (Sierra Madre), and 'valley' (San 
Gabriel). The mountains are divided into spruce-wooded 'higher 
mountains,' such as Wilson's Peak and Mt. Lowe, and brush -cov- 
ered 'foothills.' The valley is separated into a 'mesa,' the dry 
elevated plain sloping down from the foothills ; and the ' lowlands,' 
which include the 'willow bottoms,' such as the San Gabriel river 
bed in the neighborhood of El Monte. The 'oak regions' occupy 
an intermediate area, in places running up on to the foothills. 

In general, as far as I know, it may be said that the ' lowlands,' 
the 'mesas,' and tongues extending up into the foothills are LowTsr 
Sonoran; that the 'oak regions,' and 'foothills,' and even the hot 
slopes of the highest peaks, are Upper Sonoran ; while the north 
slopes and deep canyons of the ' mountains ' to their summits, within 
the ten mile radius of the list, are mainly Transition, but with a 
trace of Canadian, and with such characteristic birds as the mountain 
chickadee, blue-fronted jay, plumed partridge, junco, and slender- 
billed nuthatch. Pasadena itself is Lower Sonoran, having such 
birds as the phainopepla,- mockingbird, road-runner, Texas night- 
hawk, and Costa hummingbird. 



^chmophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — Occasional winter visitant 

on the larger ponds. 
Podilymbus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Fairly common resident on 

tule-raargined ponds. 
Gavia imher : Loon. — Frequent in winter on large ponds and reservoirs. 
Lams californicus : California Gull. — Occasional in winter about pcmds 

and streams. 
Phalacrocorax dilophus alhociliatus : Farallone Cormorant. — Frequent in 

winter on tbe larger ponds. 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : American White Pelican. — Occurs in migra- 
tion ; also more rarely about ponds in winter. 
Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganer — .Occasional midwintir 

visitant on the lowlands. 
Anas boschas : Mallard. — Fairly common resident in the vicinity of 

streams and ponds. 
Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common winter visitant. 
Nettion caroUnensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common winter visitant. 
Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Common spring and summpr 

visitant on ponds and marshes. 
Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common w inter visitant. 
Erismatura jamaicensis: Ruddy Duck. — Common resident on the larger 

ponds. 
Botaurus lentiginosus : American Bittern, — Common winter visitant on 

marsh lands. 
Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common resident in the lower 

country. 
Ardea virescens anthonyi : Anthony Green Heron. — Common migrant about 

streams and ponds. 



Iviii INTRODUCTION 

Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Common 
migrant about streams and ponds. 

Grus mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Common in migration and occasional 
during winter. 

Rallus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — Fairly common migrant on marsh 
lands and along streams. 

Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Fairly common resident of marsh lands. 

Gallinula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Fairly common resident on the 
larger tule-bordered ponds. 

Fulica americana : American Coot. — Common resident on any body of 
water. 

Himantopus mexicanus : Black-necked Stilt. — Fairly common migrant in 
the lower country. 

Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Fairly common winter visitant to 
lower grass lands. 

Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Fairly common migrant and winter 
visitant about streams and ponds. 

Tringa alpina pacijica : Red-backed Sandpiper. — Occasional migrant, 
occurring at ponds. 

Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Fairly 
common migrant along streams. 

Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common migrant, occurring 
about any ponds or streams. 

jMgialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Abundant resident on any marsh lands. 

Oreortyx pictus plumiferus : Plumed Partridge. — Common resident of the 
mountains ; occasional along their bases. 

Lophortyx californicus vallicola : Valley Partridge. — Abundant resident 
of brush lands. 

Columba fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Common winter visitant to the 
oak regions. 

Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Abundant resident everywhere. 

Gymnogyps calif ornianus : California Vulture. — Fairly common resident 
of the mountains. 

Cathartes aura: Turkey Vulture. — Abundant resident everywhere. 

Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Common resident in the lower coun- 
try. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common winter visitant every- 
where. 

Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Fairly common resident along the 
foothills. 

Buteo borealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Common resident every- 
where. 

Buteo lineatus elegans : Red-bellied Hawk. — Fairly common resident in 
the lower country. 

Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Common spring and summer vis- 
• itant. 

Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Fairly common resident of the moun- 
tains. 

Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rare visitant to the foothill regions. 

Falco columharius : Pigeon Hawk. — Fairly common winter visitant. 

Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Abundant resident 
everywhere. 

Strix pratincola : American Barn Owl. — Common resident of the oak 
regions. 

Asio wilsonianus : American Long-eared Owl. — Fairly common resident 
of the lowlands. 



INTRODUCTION lix 

Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Rare winter visitant to the low- 
lands. 

Syrnium occidentale : Spotted Owl. — Resident of the mountains ; perhaps 
fairly common, though not often met with. 

Megascops asio bendirei : California Screech Owl, — Common resident 
everywhere. 

Bubo virginianus pacificus : Pacific Homed Owl. — Fairly common resident 
in the oak region. 

Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — Common resident of the 
mesas and lowlands. 

Glaucidium gnoma : Pygmy Owl. — Resident of the mountains; perhaps 
fairly common, though by nature of its habits not often seen. 

Geococcyx calif ornianus : Road-runner. — Fairly common resident of the 
mesas and foothills ; rapidly becoming scarce. 

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare summer vis- 
itant to the willow bottoms. 

Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Common migrant, appearing at re- 
servoirs and along streams. 

Dryobates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Fairly common in 
the mountains ; resident. 

Dryobates pubescens turati : Willow Woodpecker.^ — Fairly common in the 
willow regions ; resident. 

Dryobates nuttallii : Nuttall Woodpecker. — Common resident in the oak 
and foothill regions ; visits the willow bottoms in fall and winter. 

Xenopicus albolarvatus : White-headed Woodpecker. — Fairly common re- 
sident in the higher mountains. 

Sphyrapicus varius nnchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — Rare midwinter vis- 
itant along the foothills. 

Sphyrapicus varius daggetti : ^ Sierra Sapsucker. — Common winter visitant, 
often about orchards and on pepper-trees along the city streets. 

Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Rare winter visitant on 
the mountains. 

Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi : Californian Woodpecker. — Common resi- 
dent of the oak regions. 

Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Fairly common winter vis- 
itant to the oak regions. 

Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common resident of both 
the mountains and lowlands. 

Phalcenoptilus nuttallii calif ornicus : Dusky Poor-will. — Common resident 
of the foothills. 

Chordeiles acutipennis texensis : Texas Nighthawk. — Common summer vis- 
itant, chiefly on the dry mesas. 

Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Common migrant along the foothills. 

Aeronautes melanoleucus : White-throated Swift. — Fairly common, except 
in midwinter, along the foothills and in the mountains. 

Trochilus alexandri : Black-chinned Hummingbird. — Common summer 
visitant along the foothills and in the mountain canyons. 

Calypte costce : Costa Hummingbird. — Common summer visitant to the 
dry mesas. 

Calypte anna : Anna Hummingbird. — Common resident anywhere. 

Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Common migrant every- 
where. 

Selasphorus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — Fairly common spring migrant 
along the foothills. 

1 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 2 S. ruber of the Check-List, 



Ix INTRODUCTION 

Stellula calliope : Calliope Humming-bird. — Fairly common summer vis- 
itant on the mountains. 

Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Common summer visitant to 
the valley. 

Tyrannus vociferans : Cassin Kingbird. — Fairly common winter visitant 
to the valley. 

Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Fairly common sum- 
mer visitant in the oak and foothill regions. 

Sayornis saya : Say Phoebe. — Common winter visitant to the valley. 

Sayornis nigricans semiatra : Western Black Phoebe. — Common resident 
of the valley. 

Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Fairly common summer vis- 
itant on the mountains ; migrant through the valley. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer visitant 
to the canyons and mountains. 

Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to 
the mountain canyons. 

Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Common summer visitant to the 
willow bottoms. 

Empidonax hammondi : Hammond Flycatcher. — Fairly common migrant 
along the foothills. 

Empidonax griseus : Gray Flycatcher. — Rare winter visitant to the val- 
ley. 

Otocoris alpestris actia : California Horned Lark.i — Common resident of 
the lowland plains. 

Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis : Blue-fronted Jay. — Common resident of the 
mountains. 

Aphelocoma californica : California Jay. — Common resident of the foothill 
regions. 

Corvus corax sinuatus : American Raven, — Frequent but irregular tran- 
sient visitant to the valley. 

Corvus a mericanus hesperis : ^ California Crow. — Common resident of the 
lowlands. 

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Pifion Jay. — Irreg-ular fall visitant to the 
mesas and mountains. 

X anthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Rare and 
irregular winter visitant. 

Agelaius phoeniceus neutralis : San Diego Redwing. — Common resident of 
the lowlands. 

Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common resident of 
the valley. 

Icterus cucullatus nelsoni : Arizona Hooded Oriole. — Common summer vis- 
itant to the mesas and canyons. 

Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Common summer visitant to the valley. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant resident of 
the lowlands and cultivated mesas. 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening" Grosbeak. — Rare 
and irregular winter visitant along the mountains. 

Carpodacus purpureus californicus : California Purple Finch. — Fairly 
common winter visitant to the valley. 

Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Purple Finch. — Fairly common resident on the 
higher mountains. 

Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant resident of the 
valley everywhere. 

1 Not yet acted on by A. 0. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 



INTRODUCTION Ixi 

Loxia curvirostra hendirei : ^ Sierra Crossbill. — Rare and irregular winter 
visitant. 

Astragalinns tristis salicamans : Willow Goldfinch. — Common resident of 
the lowlands. 

Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Abundant resident of the 
valley. 

Astragalinus laivrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — Fairly common spring and 
summer visitant to the mountains and mesas. 

Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Irregular winter visitant anywhere. 

Pooecetes yramineus conjinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Fairly common 
winter visitant on the mesas. 

Pooecetes gramineus ajfinis : Oregon Vesper Sparrow. — Fairly common 
winter visitant to the valley. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus: Western Savanna Sparrow. — 
Abundant winter visitant to the .owland plains. 

Ammodramus savannarum hiinaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — 
Rare winter visitant to the valley. 

Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Common resi- 
dent of the valley. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Intermediate Sparrow. — Abundant winter 
visitant to the valley. 

Zonotrichia coronata : Golden-crowned Sparrow. — Common winter visitant 
to the foothill regions. 

Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Common summer 
visitant everywhere ; less common during the winter on the mesas only. 

Spizella breweri : Brewer Sparrow. — Rare migrant along the foothills. 

Spizella atrogularis : Black-chinned Sparrow. — Rare summer visitant on 
the mountain slopes. 

Junco hyemalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Rare winter visitant to the valley. 

Junco hyemalis thurberi : Sierra Junco. — Common midwinter visitant to 
the valley ; resident in the mountains. 

Amphispiza belli : Bell Sparrow. — Fairly common resident on the mesas. 

Aimophila rujiceps : Rufous-crowned Sparrow. — Rare resident of the 
•foothills. 

Melospiza cinerea cooperi : ^ San Diego Song Sparrow. -— Common resident 
of the lowlands. 

Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Fairly common migrant and winter 
visitant in the valley. 

Passerella iliaca insularis : Kadiak Fox Sparrow.^ — Common winter vis- 
itant on the mountains. 

Passerella iliaca megarhyncha : Thick-billed Fox Sparrow. — Fairly com- 
mon winter visitant on the mountains. 

Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Common resident of 
brushlands everywhere. 

Pipilo fuscus senicula : Anthony Towhee. — Abundant resident of the val- 
ley. 

Oreospiza cMorura : Green-tailed Towhee — Rare migrant along the foot- 
hills. 

Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Common summer 
visitant to the valley. 

Guiraca ccerulea lazula : Western Blue Grosbeak. — Rare summer visitant 
on the mesas. 

Cyanospiza anicena: Lazuli Bunting. — Common summer visitant to the 
foothills and mesas. 

1 Not yet acted on by A. Q. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 



Ixii INTRODUCTION 

Piranga ludoviciana : Western Tanag-er. — Common summer visitant on 

the mountains ; common migrant on the mesas. 
Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Fairly common summer visitant 

to the mountains. 
Petrocheiidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Abundant mig-rant and summer 

visitant to the valley. 
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow — Fairly common migrant through 

the valley. 
Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Common resident of the lowlands, a 

few wintering-. 
Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Northern Violet-green Swallow, — Common 

summer visitant to the mountains ; abundant migrant through the valley. 
Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Fairly common sum- 
mer visitant to the mesas. 
Ampelis cedrorum: Cedar Waxwing. — Common winter visitant to the 

valley. 
Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Common summer visitant to the 

mesas. 
Lanius ludovicianus gambeli : California Shrike. — Common resident of the 

valley. 
Vireo gilvus swainsoni : '^ Western Warbling Vireo. — Abundant migrant 

through the valley ; fairly common summer visitant locally. 
Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Common summer visitant in the 

mountain canyons. 
Vireo huttoni : Hutton Vireo. — Fairly common resident of the oak 

regions. 
Vireo pusillus : Least Vireo. — Common summer visitant to the valley. 
Helminthophila rubricapilla gutturalis : Calaveras Warbler. — Fairly com- 
mon migrant through the valley. 
Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Common migrant 

through the valley ; rai^e summer visitant to the foothills and canyons. 
Helminthophila celata sordida : Dusky Warbler. — Common fall visitant to 

the valley and foothills. 
Dendroica CEStiva morcomi : "^ Western Yellow Warbler. — Common sum- 
mer visitant to the willow bottoms and mountain canyons. 
Dendroica coronata : Myrtle Warbler. — Rare midwinter visitant to the 

valley. 
Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Abundant winter visitant 

everywhere. 
Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Common summer 

visitant to the mountains ; migrant through the valley. 
Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Fairly common migrant over 

the mesas and foothills. 
Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along 

the foothills and mesas. 
Geothlypis tolmiei : Tolmie Warbler. — Fairly common migrant along the 

foothills. 
■ Geothlypis trichas arizela : Pacific Yellow-throat. — Common resident of 

the lowlands and migrant along the foothills. 
Geothlypis trichas scirpicola : '^ Tule Yellow-throat. — Common resident of 

the lowlands. 
Icteria virens longicauda: Long-tailed Chat. Fairly common summer 

visitant to the willow bottoms. 

1 Vireo gilvus of Check-List. (F. M. B.) 

2 D. sestiva of Check-List. (F. M. B.) 

3 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 



INTRODUCTION Ixiii 

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Abundant migrant 
through the valley ; common summer visitant to the willow bottoms. 

Anthus pensilvanicus : American Pipit. — Common winter visitant to the 
lowlands. 

Cinclus mexicanus : American Dipper. — Rare resident of the moimtain 
canyons. 

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Abundant resident 
of the valley, especially on the mesas. 

Toxostoma redivivum pasadenense : Pasadena Thrasher. — Common resi- 
dent of brush lands anywhere. 

Heleodytes hrunneicapillus : Cactus Wren. — Rare resident locally on the 
mesas. 

Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — Fairly common winter visitant to the 
valley. 

Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus : Dotted Canyon Wren. — Fairly common 
resident of the mountain canyons. 

Thryomanes hewickii charienturus : San Diegan Wren. -— Common resident of 
the motmtains ; common winter visitant to the brush lands in the valley. 

Troglodytes aedon parkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Fairly common summer 
visitant everywhere. 

Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacificus : Western Winter Wren. — Rare midwinter 
visitant to the mountains. 

Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Common resident of the 
lowland marshes. 

Certhia familiaris zelotes : Sierra Creeper. — Fairly common resident on 
the mountains. 

Sitta caroUnensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. Fairly common resi- 
dent on the mountains. 

Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Irregular winter visitant to 
the mountains. 

Sitta pygmcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Fairly common resident of the higher 
mountains. 

Parus inornatus : Plain Titmouse. — Common resident of the oak regions. 

Parus gamheli : Mountain Chickadee. — Common resident on the moun- 
tains. 

Chamcea Jasciata : Wren-Tit. — Common resident of brush lands every- 
where. 

Psaltriparus minimus calif ornicus : California Bush-Tit. — Abundant resi- 
dent of the oak regions of the valley and foothills. 

Begulus satrapa olivaceus : Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Rare mid- 
winter visitant to the mountains and mesas. 

Begulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant winter visitant 
everywhere. 

Polioptila ccerulea obscura: Western Gnatcatcher. — Common resident 
everywhere. 

Polioptila californica : Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. — Rare resident locally 
on brushy mesas. 

Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Fairly common winter visit- 
ant to the mountains. 

Hylocichla ustulata : Russet-backed Thrush. — Common summer visitant 
to the willow bottoms ; migrant along the foothills. 

Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Abundant winter visitant 
everywhere. 

Hylocichla guttata slevini : ^ Monterey Hermit Thrush. — Rare spring 
migrant over the mesas. 

1 Not yet acted on by A. O. U. committee. (F. M. B.) 



Ixiv INTRODUCTION 

Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter visitant 
to the valley. 

Ixoreus ncevius meruloides : Northern Varied Thrush. — Common mid- 
winter visitant to the mountains and mesas. 

Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Common summer visit- 
ant on the mountains ; common winter visitant to the valley. 

Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Fairly common midwinter visitant 
to the valley. 

LIST OF THE BIRDS OF FORT SHERMAN, IDAHO. 

From Dr. J. C. Merrill's Notes in The Auk, vol. xiv. 347-357, 1897, and 
vol. XV. 14-22, 1898. 

Fort Sherman is in northern Idaho, on Coeiir d'Al^ne Lake, which 
is encircled by hills clad with conifers, and near the Coeur d'Al^ne 
Mountains. The mouths of streams flowing into the lake afford 
flats with tules, water grasses, willows, and a few cottonwoods, 
which are frequented by land birds and a few marsh birds and ducks. 
At the southern end of the lake the marshy valley of the St. Joseph 
River affords good nesting and autumnal feeding ground for water 
birds. When the lake is open a few birds remain on it, going from 
it to the Spokane River when driven out by ice. The local cli- 
matic conditions somewhat resemble those of the Northern Cascade 
Range, and while the avifauna is essentially that of the Rocky 
Mountains it has Cascade Mountain elements. 

u^chnophoms occidentalis : Western Grebe. — A sing'le specimen taken. 

Colymbus holhoellii : Holboell Grebe. — Resident, but most common during 
migrations. 

Podilymhus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Common on the lake in spring 
and fall. 

Gavia imber : Loon. — Resident and quite common except in winter. 

Larus argentatus: Herring- Gull. — Several taken on the lake during fall 
and winter. 

Larus delaivarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Fall and winter visitant. 

Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — One taken and several seen in No- 
vember. 

Sterna. — A small white tern breeds about the lake, but no specimens 
were taken. 

Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus : White-crested Cormorant. — Several 
cormorants, probably of this form, were seen in September. 

Merganser americanus : Merganser. — Common during fall and winter. 

Merganser serrator : Red-breasted Merganser. — A single specimen taken. 

Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merganser. — The most abundant of the 
mergansers, frequenting especially the rivers, and in the fall collecting 
in flocks of forty or fifty individuals. 

Anas boschas : Mallard. — The commonest duck of the vicinity, a few re- 
maining throughout the winter. 

Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common fall visitant on marshes at 
southern end of lake. 



INTRODUCTION Ixv 

Nettion carbUnensis : Green-winged Teal. — Quite common, especially dur- 
ing- migrations. 

Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Rare ; a female with several 
young two or three days old seen, June 11. 

Spatula dypeata : JShoveller. — Common ; breeds in St. Joseph marshes. 

Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common migrant. 

Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Common summer visitor, especially abun- 
dant in early fall. 

Aytkya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Seems to be more common than 
the other ' blue-bills,' one or both of which occur but were not certainly 
identified. 

Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye. — Abundant throughout the win- 
ter ; all the golden-eyes seen were of this species, although the other 
doubtless occurs. 

Charitonetta albeola : Buffle-head. — Common during winter. 

Histrionicus histrionicus : Harlequin Duck. — Rare, but occasionally taken 
on the St. Joseph and Coeur d'Alene rivers. 

Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Not uncommon in spring and 
fall. 

Chen sp. ? : Ross Snow Goose. — Reported by hunters, but decidedly 
rare. 

Anser albifrons gambeli : White-fronted Goose. — Reported by hunters, but 
rare. 

Branta canadensis : Canada Goose. — Common in spring, rare in fall. 
Most abundant goose, especially on prairie at southern end of lake ; a 
few nest near the lake ; on the fall flight they and many of the ducks 
pass south over the open prairie fifty miles west of the lake. 

Olor sp. ? — In spring swans are sometimes quite common on lake and 
marshes. No specimens taken. 

Botaurus lentiginosus : Bittern. — Rather common in suitable localities 
about the lake. 

Grus mexicana : Sandhill Crane. — Not uncommon migrant ; a few prob- 
ably breed. 

Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Not rare in marshes ; breeds. 

Fulica americana : Coot. — Common, especially in autumn. 

Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalarope. — Common fall migrant. 

Recurvirostra americana : Avocet. — A pair seen and one taken in Sep- 
tember. 

Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Usually rather uncommon migrant. 

Macrorhamphus griseus : Dowitcher. — Five taken in September on St. Jo- 
seph marshes. 

Tringa maculata : Pectoral Sandpiper. — Common in 1896 from last of 
August till early October. 

Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Three taken in August. 

Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper, — One taken with the least 
sandpipers. 

Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Rather common fall mi- 
grant ; one heard in June. 

Helodromas solitarius : Solitary Sandpiper. — A young bird taken in August. 

Bartraniia longicauda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Breeds not uncommonly 
on prairie north of fort. 

Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common summer visitor. 

Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Not uncommon on prairie. . 

Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Four taken in September 
on St. Joseph marshes. 



fxvi INTRODUCTION 

Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Usually rare. 

j^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — A few pairs breed on the prairie near the 
Spokane River. 

Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii : Richardson Grouse. — Occasionally 
found about the fort ; breeds from lake level to top of mountains. 

Canachites franklinii : Franklin Grouse. — Common in surrounding woods. 

Bonasa umbellus togata : Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — Exceedingly abun- 
dant. 

Pedioecetes phasianellus columhianus : Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. — 
Quite common, particularly about ranches on prairie north of fort ; win- 
ters in pine woods. 

Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Not common, but generally dis- 
tributed. 

Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — A few seen at intervals during the 
summer. 

Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Not uncommon in autumn. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — One taken in May. 

Accipiter atricapillus : Goshawk. — Rather common in migrations and 
winter, and probably breeds. 

Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — A young bird taken in September. 

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis : Rough-legged Hawk, — Occasionally 
seen in spring and fall. 

Aquila chrysa'etos : Golden Eagle. — Occurs sparingly throughout the 
year. 

Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — A few pairs breed about the lake ; 
an adult seen in February, 

Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rare ; taken in September. 

Falco richardsonii : Richardson Merlin. — Taken in August and October. 

Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk, — Summer i*esi- 
dent. 

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Fish Hawk. — Frequently seen in summer. 

Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — A single specimen examined. 

Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Often flushed on prairie and 
marshes. 

Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni : Richardson Owl, — Three specimens seen. 

Nyctala acadica : Saw- whet Owl. — A specimen taken in January. Notes 
frequently heard in spring. 

Megascops asio subsp. ? — Screech owls occasionally heard, doubtless maC' 
farlanei. Apparently quite rare. 

Bubo virginianus pallescens : Western Horned Owl. 

Bubo virginianus saturatus : Dusky Horned Owl. — Both forms of the 
great horned owl occur commonly. 

Nyctea nyctea: Snowy Owl. — Irregular winter visitor. 

Glaucidium gnoma : Pygmy Owl, — A not xmcommon resident, 

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo, — One seen in July. 

Ceryle alcyon: Belted Kingfisher. — Common in summer ; a few winter, 

Dryobates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Abundant in win- 
ter ; breeds sparingly. 

Dryobates pubescens homorus : Batchelder Woodpecker, — Rather uncom- 
mon resident, 

Xenopicus albolarvatus : White-headed Woodpecker, — Rare resident. 

Picoides arcticus : Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. — Fairly common resi- 
dent, 

Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — A few pairs breed 
among the cottonwoods. 



INTRODUCTION Ixvii 

Sphyrapicus ihyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Seen near Coeur 
d'Alene. 

Ceoi hlceus pileatus ahieticola : Pileated Woodpecker. — Rather common 
resident. 

Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Summer resident, breeding 
in cottonwoods and pines. 

Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common summer resi- 
dent. 

Chordeiles virginianus : Nighthawk. — Common summer resident. 

Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Seen in May and July ; some probably 
breed. 

Trochilus alexandri : Black-chinned Hummingbird. — Fairly common in 
spring- ; a few remain to breed. 

Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Common spring migrant ; 
probably breeds. 

Stellula calliope : Calliope Hummingbird. — Common summer resident. 

Tyrannus tyrannus : Kingbird. — Fairly common summer resident. 

Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Rare; a pair or two breed 
near the fort. 

Sayornis saya : Say Flycatcher. — Common at Coeur d'Alene. 

Contojjus horealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Breeds sparingly on hill- 
sides. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Fewee. — Very common in pines and 
cottonwoods. 

JBmpidonax hammondi: Hammond Flycatcher. — Common summer resi- 
dent among cottonwoods and willows along the river and near swamps. 

Empidonax wrightii : Wright Flycatcher. — A single specimen taken in 
May. 

Otocoris alpestrts arcticola : Pallid Horned Lark. — One specimen taken 
in September. 

Otoc&ris alpestris merrilli : Dusky Horned Lark. — Common in spring and 
summer. 

Pica pica hudsonica : Magpie. — Not uncommon in winter. 

Cyanocitta stelleri annectens : Black-headed Jay. — Fairly common in spring 
and fall, a few wintering. 

Perisoreus canadensis capitalis : Rocky Mountain Jay. — Rather common 
resident. 

Corvus corax sinuatus : Raven. — Probably resident. 

Corvus americanus : Crow. — Common during migrations, a few pairs 
breeding. 

Nucifraga columbiana : Clarke Nutcracker. — Irregular visitant; abun- 
dant in good pine cone winters. 

Dolichonyx oryzivorus : Bobolink. — Breeds on St. Joseph River. 

Molothrus ater : Cowbird. — Rare. 

Agelaius phceniceus caurinus : Northwestern Red-wing. — Breeds sparingly 
about the lake. 

Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common in summer. 

Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole. — Breeds sparingly in cottonwoods along 
the river. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — A few breed along the 
river. 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Proba- 
bly common, but irregular summer visitor; 

Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Finch. — Abimdant summer resident. 

Loxia curvirostra minor : Crossbill. — Irregular visitor, breeding in hills. 



Ixviii INTRODUCTION 

Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis : Hepburn Leucosticte. — Apparently an 
irregular fall and winter visitant. 

Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Winter visitant. 

Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — A fairly common summer resident. 

Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Resident. 

Passerina nivalis : Snowflake. — An irregular winter visitor. 

Calcarius lapponicus : Lapland Longspur. — A single si^ecimen taken in 
November. 

Pocecetes gramineus confinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Breeds spar- 
ing-ly. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- 
mon migrant, a few breeding. 

Ammodramus leconteii : Leeonte Sparrow. — A single specimen taken. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys gamhelii : Gambel Sparrow. — Fairly common mi- 
grant. 

Spizella monticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Rare in winter. 

Spizella socialis arizome : Western Chipping Sparrow. — One of the com- 
monest summer residents. 

Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Migrant. 

Melospiza fasciata merrilli : Merrill Song Sparrow. — Common summer 
visitor. 

Passerella iliaca schistacea : Slate-colored Sparrow. — Rare migrant. 

Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Generally but sparingly 
distributed in summer. 

Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Not uncommon. 

Cyanospiza amoena : Lazuli Bunting. — Not common. 

Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common in migrations ; a few 
breed. 

Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common summer visitor. 

Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Occasionally seen near prairie in 
summer. 

Tachycineta hicolor : White-bellied Swallow. — Breeds abundantly in cot- 
tonwoods. 

Piparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Breeds on Coeur d' Alene River. 

Ampelis garrulus : Bohemian Waxwing. — Irregular winter visitant. 

Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Common summer resident. 

Lanius horealis : Northern Shrike. — Common in fall ; a few winter. 

Vireo olivaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Abundant summer visitor. 

Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Breeds somewhat sparingly. 

Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Breeds in moderate numbers. 

Helminthophila ruhricapilla gutturalis : Calaveras Warbler. — Breeds. 

Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Several taken in 
May. 

Dendroica cestiva: Yellow Warbler. — Abundant summer resident. 

Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Summer resident. 

Pendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Breeds. 

Geothlypis tohniei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Breeds rather commonly. 

Geothlypis trichas occidentalis : Western Yellow-throat. — Breeds sparingly. 

Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Common at Coeur d'Alene. 

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler. — Occasional migrant. 

Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Abundant summer visitor. 

Anthus pensilvanicus : Pipit. — Rare in spring, abundant in fall. 

Cinclus mexicanus : Dipper. — Fairly common. 

Galeoscoptes carolinensis : Catbird. — Common summer visitor. 

Salpinctes obsoletus: Rock Wren. — A pair found, evidently nesting. 



INTRODUCTION Ixix 

Troglodytes aedonparkmanii : Parkman Wren. — Breeds rather commonly. 
OlbiorcMlus Memalis pacificus : Western Winter Wren. — Rather common 

resident. 
Cistothorus palustris paludicola : Tule Wren. — Rare in fall. 
Certhia familiaris montana : Rocky Mountain Creeper. — Abundant in 

winter. 
Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Breeds rather 

sparingly. 
Sitta canadensis: Red-breasted Nuthatch, — Common winter resident, 

breeding less plentifully near the fort. 
Sitta pygnuea : Pyg-my Nuthatch. — Most abundant resident. 
Parus atricapillus : Chickadee. — A common resident. 
Parus gamheli : Mountain Chickadee. — Abundant resident. 
Parus rufescens : Chestnut-backed Chickadee. — Resident. 
Regulus satrapa olivaceus : AVestern Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Resident. 
Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned King-let. — Summer resident. 
Myadestes townsendii : Solitaire. — Not uncommon migrant, one pair found 

breeding. 
Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola : Willow Thrush. — Rather common sum- 
mer resident among cottonwoods. 
Hylocichla ustulata ahme : Alma Thrush. — Breeds rather commonly about 

the lake and on mountain. 
Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Abundant summer resident. 
Ixoreus ncevius : Varied Thrush. — Migrant. 
Sialia mexicana hairdi : Chestnut-backed Bluebird. — Abundant summer 

resident. 
Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Summer resident. 

LIST OF BIRDS OF CHEYENNE AND VICINITY. 

By Frank Bond. 

Cheyenne is located in the midst of the Great Plains region, a 
little over 6000 feet above the ocean, with an annual rainfall of 
thirteen inches. The plains around Cheyenne are drained by streams 
fringed by cottonwoods and willows which attract the migrants. 
One of these streams flows through the city, which by persistent 
arboriculture has been made an immense grove of trees, an oasis in 
the desert. Five small lakes, from within the city limits to a mile 
and a half beyond, offer resting places to waterfowl of all descrip- 
tions. The mountain range twenty miles west of the city, acting 
as a barrier to flight, completes the conditions which give Cheyenne 
a peculiar and diversified avifauna. The list covers a radius of about 
three miles from the city limits. 

j^chmophorus occidentalis : Western Grebe. — Rare visitant. 

Colymbus holboellii : Holbcell Grebe. — Rare visitant. 

Colymhus nigricollis calif amicus : Eared Grebe. — Common during migra- 
tions. 

Gavia imher : Loon. — Not common but tolerably regular visitor during 
migrations. 



Ixx INTRODUCTION 

Larus argentatus : Herring- Gull. — Rare visitor. 

Larus delawarensis : Ring-billed Gull. — Common during- migrations. 

Larus Philadelphia : Bonaparte Gull. — Regular but not very common 

visitor. 
Sterna for steri : Forster Tern. — Rare visitor. 
Sterna hirundo : Common Tern. — Occasional visitor. 
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis : Black Tern. — Regular visitor. 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos : White Pelican. — Occasional visitor. 
Pelecanus occidentalis : Brown Pelican. — One specimen taken in 1900. 
Merganser americanus : Merg-anser. — Not common ; sometimes winters at 

spring's in Laramie County. 
Lophodytes cucullatus : Hooded Merg-anser. — Rare. 
Anas boschas : Mallard. — Common migrant. 
Chaulelasmus streperus : Gadwall. — Common. 
Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Common. 
Nettion carolinensis : Green-winged Teal. — Common. 
Querquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — Common, 
Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Occasional on city reservoirs. 
Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common. The blue and green wing-ed teal 

and the shoveller breed commonly in suitable localities a few miles from 

town. 
Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Common. 
Aix sponsa : Wood Duck. — Very rare visitor. 
Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common migrant. 
Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — Common migrant, but not so common 

as the redhead. 
Aythya marila : Scaup Duck, — Not common. 
Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — Rare. 
Aythya collaris : Ring-necked Duck. — Not common, 
Clangula clangula americana : American Golden-eye, — Rare. 
Clangula islandica : Barrow Golden-eye, — Rare, 
Charitonetta alheola : Buffle-head, — Tolerably common. 
Oidemia americana : Scoter, — Rare. 

Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Very common migrant. 
Chen hyperborea : Lesser Snow Goose. — Rare visitor, 
Anser albifrons gambeli : White-fronted Goose, — Rare visitor. 
Branta canadensis : Canada Goose. — Not common. 

Branta canadensis hutchinsii : Hutchins Goose. — Common for the species. 
Olor columbianus : Whistling Swan. — Rare. 

Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Common, for the species. 
Nycticorax nycticorax noevius : Black-crowned Night Heron. — Not com- 
mon. 
Porzana Carolina : Sora. — Tolerably common, 
Fulica americana : Coot, — Very common, 
Phalaropus lobatus : Northern Phalarope, — Rare. 
Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope, — Tolerably common ; breeds 

abundantly on Laramie plains fifty miles west of Cheyenne, 
Becurvirostra americana : Avocet, — Tolerably common for the species 

during migrations, 
Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Not very common. 
Mdcrtirlutinphus scolopaceris : Long-billed Dowiteher, — Rare. 
Micropalama hima7itopus : Stilt Sandpiper. — Very rare, 
Tringa bairdii : Baird Sandpiper, — Very common. 
Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Very common, 
Limosafedoa: Marbled Godwit. — Tolerably common. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxi 

Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-leg-s. — Rare. 

Totanus Jiavipes : Yellow-legs. — Tolerably common. 

Symphemia semipalmata inornata : Western Willet. — Common migrant. 

Bartramia longicauda : Bartramian Sandpiper. — Not common. 

Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Common ; breeds. 

Nunienius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Common migrant. 

Squatarola squatarola : Black-bellied Plover. — Rare. 

Charadrius dominicus : Golden Plover. — Rare. 

j^gialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common ; breeds. 

^gialitis semipalmata : Semipalmated Plover. — Rare. 

ySgialitis meloda circumcincta : Belted Piping Plover. — Rare. 

u^gialitis nivosa : Snowy Plover. — Rare. 

^gialitis montana : Mountain Plover. — Common. 

Zenaidura macroura : Mourning Dove. — Common ; breeds. 

Cathartes aura: Turkey Vulture. — Rare. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Tolerably common, 

Accipiter cooperii : Cooper Hawk. — Not common. 

Buteo horealis calurus : Western Red-tail. — Not common. 

Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Tolerably common. 

Archibuteo ferrugineus : Ferruginous Rough-leg. — Common. 

Haliceetus leucocephalus : Bald Eagle. — Rare. 

Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Common. 

Falco peregrinus anatum : Duck Hawk. — Rare. 

Falco sparverius : Sparrow Hawk. — Common ; breeds. 

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Osprey. — Not common. 

Asio wilsonianus : Long-eared Owl. — Common. 

Asio accipitrinus : Short-eared Owl. — Rare. 

Nyctala acadica : Saw -whet Owl. — Not common. 

Nyctea nyctea : Snowy Owl. — Rare. 

Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — Common ; breeds. 

Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Tolerably common. 

Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Rare. 

Melanerpes erythrocephalus : Red-headed Woodpecker. — Tolerably com- 
mon. 

Melanerpes torquatus : Lewis Woodpecker. — Occasional visitor. 

Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — The most common wood- 
pecker. 

Phalcenoptilus nuttallii : Poor-will. — Not common. 

Chordeiles virginianus henryi : Western Nighthawk. — Common. 

Selasphorus platycercus : Broad-tailed Hummingbird. — Not very common. 

Selasphorus rufus: Rufous Hummingbird. — Not very common. 

Tyrannus tyrannus : Kingbird. — Common ; breeds. 

Tyrannus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — Most common kingbird; 
breeds. 

Tyrannus vociferans: Cassin Kingbird. — Not common. 

Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Rare. 

Contopus horealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — Not common. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Tolerably common. 

Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Rare. 

Empidonax minimus : Least Flycatcher. — Tolerably common. 

Pica pica hudsonica : Magpie. — Rare in the city. 

Cyanocitta stelleri diademata : Long-crested Jay. — Rare in the city. 

Nucifraga columhiana : Clarke Nutcracker. — Autumnal flocks of young 
tolerably common. 

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Piiion Jay. — Regular autumn visitor, some- 
times wintering. 



Ixxii INTRODUCTION 

Dolichonyx oryzivorus : Bobolink. — Occasional summer resident. 

Molothrus ater : Cowbird. — Common summer resident. 

X anthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — Not com- 
mon. 

Agelaius phoeniceus : Red-winged Blackbird. — Common summer resident. 

Sturnella magna neglecta : Western Meadowlark. — Common summer resi- 
dent. 

Icterus bullocki : Bullock Oriole : Tolerably common summer resident. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Common. 

Quiscalus quiscula ceneus : Bronzed Grackle. — Rare. 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Visit- 
ant ; does not breed. 

Carpodacus mexicdnus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant summer resi- 
dent ; sometimes also winter resident. 

Leucosticte tephrocotis : Gray-crowned Leucosticte. — Frequent winter 
visitor. 

Acanthis linaria : Redpoll. — Occasional winter visitor. 

Astragalinus tristis : Goldfinch. — Common summer resident. 

Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — One taken in Cheyenne. 

Spinas pinus : Pine Siskin. — Regular autumn visitor. 

Passerina, nivalis : Snowflake. — Regular winter visitor, often in very large 
flocks. 

Calcarius ornatus : Chestnut-collared Longspur. — Summer resident ; not 
common. 

Rkynchophanes mccownii : McCown Longspur. — Abundant summer resi- 
dent. 

Pooecetes gramineus confinis : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Common mi- 
grant ; probably breeds near. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Com- 
mon migrant. 

Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Common mi- 
grant. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii: Gambel Sparrow. — Common migrant. 

Spizella vionticola ochracea : Western Tree Sparrow. — Common migrant. 

Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping Sparrow. — Tolerably com- 
mon migrant. 

Spizella pallida : Clay-colored Sparrow. — Common ; probably breeds. 

Spizella brewer i : Brewer Sparrow. — Tolerably common. 

Junco hyemalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Tolerably common. 

Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Jimco. — Tolerably common. 

Junco mearnsi : Pink-sided Junco. — Common migrant. 

Amphispiza belli nevadensis : Sage Sparrow. — Rare visitor. 

Melospiza melodia montana : Mountain Song Sparrow. — Tolerably com- 
mon migrant. 

Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Common migrant. 

Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Common migrant. 

Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Occasional city vis- 
itor only. 

Cyanospiza amoena : Lazuli Bunting. — Summer resident ; not many nest. 

Calamospiza melanocorys : Lark Bunting. — Abundant; breeds. 

Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — Common migrant. 

Piranga erythromelas : Scarlet Tanager. — Rare visitor. 

Progne subis : Purple Martin. — Rare visitor. 

Petrochelidon lunifrons : Cliff Swallow. — Common ; breeds. 

Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Common ; breeds. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxiii 

Tachycineta bicolor : White-bellied Swallow, — Not very common. 

Hiparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Tolerably common. 

Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Tolerably common. 

Ampelis garrulus : Bohemian Waxwing. — Rare. 

Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Rare. 

Lanius horealis : Northern Shrike. — Regular winter visitor. 

Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides : White-rumped Shrike. — Common sum- 
mer resident. 

Vireo olivaceus : Red-eyed Vireo. — Not common. 

Vireo gilvus swainsoni : ^ Western Warbling Vireo. — Common. 

Helminthophila celata : Orange-crowned Warbler. — Common migrant. 

Helminthophila peregrina : Tennessee Warbler. — Rare. 

Compsothlypis americana usnece : Northern Parula Warbler. — Rare. 

Dendroica cestiva : Yellow Warbler. — Common svimmer resident. 

Dendroica coronata : Yellow-rumped Warbler. — Common migrant. 

Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — Common migrant. 

Dendroica striata: Black-poll Warbler. — Tolerably common migrant. 

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis : Grinnell Water-Thrush. — Rare visitor. 

Geothlypis tolmiei : Macgillivray Warbler. — Common migrant. 

Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. — Western Yellow-throat. — Common mi- 
grant. 

Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — Tolerably common migrant. 

Anthus spragueii : Sprague Pipit. — Common migrant. 

Cinclus inexicamis : Dipper. — Rare visitor. 

Oroscoptes montanus : Sage Thrasher. — Common migrant. 

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mockingbird. — Regular summer 
resident ; a few pairs breed. 

Galeoscoptes carolinensis : Catbird. — Tolerably common migrant. 

Toxostoma rufum : Brown Thrasher. — Common ; breeds. 

Salpdnctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — Common migrant. 

Troglodytes aedon aztecus : Western House Wren. — Tolerably common 
migrant. 

Certhia familiar is montana : Rocky Mountain Creeper. — Casual visitor. 

Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Rare visitor. 

Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — Occasional visitor. 

Sitta pygmcea : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Rare visitor. 

Parus gambeli : Mountain Chickadee. — A flock occasionally visits the 
city. 

Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — Tolerably regular spring 
migrant. 

Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Regular migrant ; tolerably 
common. 

Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni : Olive-backed Thrush. — Common migrant. 

Merula niigratoria : Robin. — Tolerably common summer resident. 

Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Frequently winters. 

Sialia sialis : Bluebird. — Occasionally seen both in winter and in midsum- 
mer ; may breed. 

Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Abundant breeder for species. 

1 V. gilvus of Check-List. (F. M. B.) 



Ixxiv INTRODUCTION 



BIRDS OF PINAL, PIMA, AND GILA COUNTIES, ARIZONA. 

From W. E. D. Scott, in The Auk, vol. iii. 383, 421, 1886 ; vol. iv. 16, 196, 
1887 ; vol. V. 29, 159, 1888. 

The region covered by Mr. Scott's paper extends eighty miles 
north and forty miles south of Tucson. The Santa Catalina Moun- 
tains form its backbone, and the Gila, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro 
rivers flow through it. The region about Tucson is a plain of about 
2300 feet altitude, arid and cactus-grown except where it is watered 
by springs and sporadic streams which support cottonwoods and 
other trees. The Florence region in the valley of the Gila is similar 
to that about Tucson. At Riverside the valley is much narrower. 
Mineral Creek rises at about 5000 feet altitude in the Pinal Moun- 
tains. The birds of the entire region may be divided into birds of the 
plains and valleys, birds of the oak belt, and birds of the pine re- 
gions, though of course the species shift back and forth, the vertical 
migration being here as important as the north and south migra- 
tions. 

Podilymhus podiceps : Pied-billed Grebe. — Two taken by Mr. Herbert 

Brown near Tucson in February. 
Gavia lumrne : Red-throated Loon, — One taken in December near Tucson. 
Merganser americanus : Merg-anser. — Seen at San Pedro River in Jan- 
uary. 
Lophodytes cucuUatus : Hooded Merganser. — One taken by Mr. Brown 

near Tucson in December. 
Anas boschas : Mallard. — One of the commonest ducks about Tucson in 

fall and winter. 
Chaulelasmus strepenis : Gadwall. — One taken by Mr. Brown near Tuc- 
son. 
Mareca americana : Baldpate. — Found on San Pedro River in small flocks 

in January. 
Nettion carolinensis : Green- winged Teal. — Abundant about Tucson at 

times during the winter (Brown). 
Qiierquedula discors : Blue-winged Teal. — A few seen on San Pedro 

River ; uncommon about Tucson (Brown). 
Querquedula cyanoptera : Cinnamon Teal. — Common winter visitant about 

Tucson (Brown). 
Spatula clypeata : Shoveller. — Common about Tucson in winter (Brown). 
Dajila acuta : Pintail. — Not uncommon on San Pedro River in March. 
Aythya americana : Redhead. — Common about Tucson in winter (Brown), 

and found in small flocks on San Pedro River in January. 
Aythya vallisneria : Canvas-back. — A small flock seen on San Pedro in 

January. 
Aythya marila : Scaup Duck. — Rather common on San Pedro River in 

winter. 
Aythya affinis : Lesser Scaup Duck. — A few seen on the San Pedro in 

January. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxv 

Charitonetta alheola : Buffle-head. — One taken in December near Tucson, 

and one on San Pedro in January. 
Erismatura jamaicensis : Ruddy Duck. — Not uncommon about Tucson at 

times. 
Branta canadensis (subsp. ? ) : Canada Goose. — Three seen on pond near 

the San Pedro in January. 
Plegadis autumnalis : Glossy Ibis. — Not infrequent about bottom lands 

near Tucson (Brown). 
Plegadis guarauna : White-faced Glossy Ibis. — Common in May near 

Tucson. 
Tantalus loculator : Wood Ibis. — Rather common on Gila and San Pedro 

rivers most of the, year. 
Botaurus lentiginosus : Bittern. — Rare about Tucson (Brown). 
Ardea herodias : Great Blue Heron. — Rather common resident. 
Ardea egretta : Egret. — Rather common about Tucson in May. 
Ardea candidissima : Snowy Heron. — Five seen near Tucson in May. 
Ardea virescens anthonyi : Anthony Green Heron. — Rather rare about 

Tucson (Brown). 
Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius : Black-crowned Nig-ht Heron. — Rather 

rare about Tucson (Brown) ; found on the Santa Cruz in May. 
Ballus virginianus : Virginia Rail. — One seen on the San Pedro in Jan- 
uary. 
Porzana Carolina : Sora. — One taken at Tucson in April (Brown). 
Gallinula galeata : Florida Gallinule. — Not uncommon about Tucson 

(Brown) ; rare on San Pedro in late January. 
Fulica americana : Coot. — Common except in summer. 
Steganopus tricolor : Wilson Phalarope. — Common during migration about 

Tucson. 
Recurvirostra americana : Avocet. — Common at times in fall migration 

near Tucson (Brown). 
Gallinago delicata : Wilson Snipe. — Common in migrations about Tucson, 

a few wintering there and in San Pedro River region. 
Tringa minutilla : Least Sandpiper. — Common about Tucson in migra- 
tions (Brown). 
Tringa alpina pacijica: Red-backed Sandpiper. — Flocks seen in April 

near Tucson. 
Ereunetes occidentalis : Western Sandpiper. — Common migrant about 

Tucson. 
Limosa fedoa : Marbled God\vit(?). — A godwit probably of this species 

seen in January on San Pedro River. 
Totanus melanoleucus : Greater Yellow-legs. — Two taken by Mr. Brown 

near Tucson in October. 
Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus : Western Solitary Sandpiper. — Not 

uncommon a,bout Tucson in migrations. 
Actitis macularia : Spotted Sandpiper. — Occasional about Tucson in 

spring. 
Numenius longirostris : Long-billed Curlew. — Not common in migrations 

about Tucson (Brown). 
yEgialitis vocifera : Killdeer. — Common about Tucson in spring and fall, 

breeding in small numbers in the San Pedro region. 
jEgialitis semipalmata : Semipalmated Plover. — Doubtless common about 

Tucson in migrations. 
Colinus ridgwayi : Masked Bob-white. — Found by Mr. Brown in the 

Barboquivari Mountains. 
Callipepla squamata : Scaled Partridge. — Most abundant on the dry mesas 

of the San Pedro slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains. 



Ixxvi INTRODUCTION 

Lophortyx gamhelii : Gambel Partridge. — Common below 5000 feet. 

Cyrtonyx montezumce. mearnsi: Mearns Massena Partridge. — Common in 
oak regions of the mountains. 

Meleagris gallapavo merriami : Merriam Turkey. — Found on the San Pedro 
River and in oak and pine regions of the Catalina Mountains. 

Columha fasciata : Band-tailed Pigeon. — Common in Catalina Moun- 
tains. 

Zenaidura macroura: Mourning Dove. — Resident except in pine region. 

Melopelia leucoptera : White-winged Dove. — Generally distributed up to 
3500 feet. 

Columbigallinapasserinapallescens : Mexican Ground Dove. — Not uncom- 
mon about Tucson, Riverside, and Florence. 

Scardafella inca : Inca Dove. — Found at Tucson and Florence. 

Cathartes aura : Turkey Vulture. — Common at low altitudes throughout 
the year. 

Circus hudsonius : Marsh Hawk. — Recorded from Tucson in fall, winter, 
and spring. 

Accipiter velox : Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common in fall migration in oak 
region of Santa Catalina range. 

Accipiter cooperii: Cooper Hawk. — Common resident. 

Farabuteo unicinctus harrisi : Harris Hawk. — One taken by Mr. Brown 
near Tucson. 

Buteo horealis calurus : Western Red Tail. — Abundant resident through- 
out the entire region. 

Buteo abbreviatus : Zone-tailed Hawk. — Breeds throughout the region. 

Buteo swainsoni : Swainson Hawk. — Common near Tucson in warmer 
part of year. 

Asturina plagiata : Mexican Goshawk. — Not uncommon in spring and 
summer about Tucson. 

Aquila chrysaetos : Golden Eagle. — Common resident above 4000 feet. 

Falco mexicanus : Prairie Falcon. — Rather common resident of the 
plains. 

Falco columbarius : Pigeon Hawk (?). — A small falcon seen at a distance 
in the Catalina pine region. 

Falco sparverius deserticola : Desert Sparrow Hawk. — Common resident 
up t6 5000 feet. Breeds in woodpecker holes in giant cactus. 

Polyborus cheriway : Audubon Caracara. — Rather common about Tucson 
in warmer part of year ; a few apparently resident. 

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis : Osprey. — Not uncommon along large 
watercourses. 

Strix pratincola : Barn Owl. — Three specimens taken near Tucson. 

Megascops trichopsis : Spotted Screech Owl. — Common resident about 
Tucson ; also taken at Riverside and in Catalinas. 

Bubo virginianus pallescens : Western Horned Owl. — Common resident. 

Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea : Burrowing Owl. — A colony reported from 
near Benson and another near Florence, but unusual in region. 

Glaucidium phalcenoides : Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. — Not uncommon 
about Tucson. 

Micropallas whitneyi : Elf Owl. — Commonest resident owl up to 5000 feet. 

Geococcyx californianus : Road-runner. — Common resident up to 4000 
feet. 

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis : California Cuckoo. — Rare in June and 
July on San Pedro slope of Catalinas. 

Trogon (sp. ?). — A species of trogon undoubtedly occurs in Catalina Moun- 
tains. Reported. 



IN TRODUCTION Ixxvii 

Ceryle alcyon : Belted Kingfisher. — Resident. 

Dryohates villosus hyloscopus : Cabanis Woodpecker. — Resident in pine 
forest ; winter visitor to lower altitudes. 

Dryohates pubescens homorus ; Batchelder Woodpecker. — One seen on Gila 
River. 

Dryohates scalaris hairdi : Texan Woodpecker. — Common below 4000 feet. 

Dryohates arizonce : Arizona Woodpecker. — Not uncommon in Santa Ritas 
and Catalinas. 

Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis : Red-naped Sapsucker. — Mig'rant. 

Sphyrapicus thyroideus : Williamson Sapsucker. — Found in pines of Cata- 
lina Mountains. 

Melanerpes formicivorus : Ant-eating- Woodpecker. — Common resident of 
mountains down to 4000 feet. 

Melanerpes torquatus: Lewis Woodpecker. — Abundant though irregular 
migrant in Catalina Mountains at low altitudes. 

Melanerpes uropygialis : Gila Woodpecker. — Common resident, especially 
in giant cactus region, and occurs in numbers up to 4500 feet. 

Colaptes cafer collaris : Red-shafted Flicker. — Common throughout the 
region, but breeding above 6000 feet 

Colaptes chrysoides : Gilded Flicker. — Rather common resident in giant 
cactus belt. 

Antrostomus vociferus macromystax : Stephens Whip-poor-will. — A whip- 
poor-will, undoubtedly of this species, heard in the Catalinas. 

Phalcenoptilus nuttallii : Poor-will. — An abundant migrant ; breeds in 
mountain regions. 

Chordeiles virginianus henryi : Western Nighthawk. — Seen in Catalinas in 
early spring above 4000 feet. 

Chordeiles acutipennis texensis : Texan Nighthawk. — Abundant migrant 
below 4.500 feet. 

Chcetura vauxii : Vaux Swift. — Seen between 3000 and 4000 feet in the 
Catalinas in October. 

Aeronautes melanoleucus : White-throated Swift. — An abundant migrant ; 
a few probably winter. 

Trochilus alexandri : Black-chinned Hummingbird. — Common summer 
resident in Catalina Mountains. 

Calypte costce : Costa Hummingbird. — Common in Catalinas. 

Calypte anna : Anna Hummingbird. — One seen in Catalina Mountains at 
5000 feet in October. 

Selasphorus platycercus : Broad-tailed Hummingbird. — Common migrant, 
doubtless breeding in Catalinas. 

Selasphorus rufus : Rufous Hummingbird. — Probably breeds at higher 
altitudes in Catalinas ; abundant in August and September from 4000 
to 6000 feet. 

Selasphorus alleni : Allen Hummingbird. — One taken in Catalina Moun- 
tains. 

Stellula calliope : Calliope Hummingbird. — Two taken in Catalinas at 
5000 feet. 

Tache latirostris : Broad-billed Hummingbird. — Summer resident in Cat- 
alina Mountains. 

Tyr annus verticalis : Arkansas Kingbird. — One of the commonest sum- 
mer resident birds of the plains, and common in April up to 9000 feet. 

Tyrannus vociferans : Cassin Kingbird. — Found in foothills about River- 
side and in Catalina Mountains. 

Myiarchus mexicanus magister : Arizona Crested Flycatcher. — Common in 
spring and summer about Tucson, Florence, Riverside, and the Catalinas 
up to 4500 feet. 



Ixxviii INTRODUCTION 

Myiarchus cinerascens : Ash-throated Flycatcher. — Abundant migrant and 
summer resident. 

Myiarchus lawrencei oUvascens : Olivaceous Flycatcher. — One taken at 
5000 feet in Catalina Mountains ; common in Santa Rita Mountains 
(Stephens). 

Sayornis say a : Say Phoebe. — Common winter resident, breeding- sparingly 
in Catalina Mountains. 

Sayornis nigricans : Black Phoebe. — Regular resident in valleys about 
watercourses, and summer resident of mountains. 

Contopus borealis : Olive-sided Flycatcher. — ■ Rather common migrant in 
mountains. 

Contopus pertinax paUidiventris : Coues Flycatcher. — Two recorded from 
the Catalinas. 

Contopus richardsonii : Western Wood Pewee. — Common summer resident 
in Catalina Mountains. 

Empidonax difficilis : Western Flycatcher. — Found in Catalinas from 
June till last of October. 

Empidonax traillii : Traill Flycatcher. — Two taken in the Catalina Moun- 
tains. 

Empidonax hammondi: Hammond Flycatcher. — Migrant in Catalina 
Mountains. 

Empidonax wrightii : Wright Flycatcher. — ■ Four taken in Catalina Moun- 
tains, 3500 to 4500 feet. 

Pyrocephalus ruhineus mexicanus : Vermilion Flycatcher. — Resident at 
Tucson and Florence ; a few breeding up to 4500 feet in the Catalinas. 

Otocoris alpestris (subsp. ?) : Horned Lark. — Found about Tucson in fall 
and winter. 

Cyanocitta stelleri diademata : Long-crested Jay. — Resident in pines in 
Catalina Mountains, descending to oak region in winter. 

Apheloco7na woodhouseii : Woodhouse Jay. — Common resident at head- 
waters of Mineral Creek and in foothills of the Catalinas. 

Aphelocoma sieherii arizonm : Arizona Jay. — Abundant resident in oak 
region of Catalinas. 

Corvus corax sinuatus : Raven. — Common about Tucson throughout the 
year. 

Corvus cryptoleucus : White-necked Raven. — Common at times about 
Tucson and other points. 

Corvus americanus : Crow. — Large flocks seen in spring and fall on foot- 
hills of Catalinas. 

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus : Pinon Jay. — Seen in oak belt of Catalinas. 

Molothrus ater obscurus : Dwarf Cowbird. — Common at Riverside and not 
uncommon about Tucson and Florence. 

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus : Yellow-headed Blackbird. — - Abundant 
about Tucson, Florence, and valley of the San Pedro in winter. 

Agelaius phceniceus sonoriensis : Sonoran Red-wing. — Common resident. 

Sturnella magna hoopesi : Rio Grande Meadowlark. — Resident. 

Icterus parisorum : Scott Oriole. — Breeds near water, and on arid plains 
and mesas from 3000 to 8000 feet. 

Icterus cucullatus nelsoni : Arizona Hooded Oriole. — Common throughout 
the region, being absent only about four months, ranging in summer up 
to nearly 6000 feet. 

Icterus hullochi : Bullock Oriole. — Not uncommon about Tucson and Flor- 
ence ; rare in the Catalinas. 

Scolecophagus cyanocephalus : Brewer Blackbird. — Abundant winter resi- 
dent below 3000 feet. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxix 

Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus : Western Evening Grosbeak. — Seen in 
pine woods of Catalinas. 

Carpodacus purpureus calif or nicus : California Purple Finch. — Large flocks 
seen in Catalina Mountains in fall and winter of 1885. 

Carpodacus cassini : Cassin Purple Finch. — Seen in Catalinas in winter. 

Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis : House Finch. — Abundant summer resi- 
dent ; less common winter resident. 

Loxia curvirostra stricklandi : Mexican Crossbill. — Irregularly abundant 
in Catalinas. 

Astragalinus tristis pallidus : Western Goldfinch. — Seen in Catalinas in 
winter. 

Astragalinus psaltria : Arkansas Goldfinch. — Nomadic and not very com- 
mon in the Catalinas. 

Astragalinus psaltria arizonce : Arizona Goldfinch. — Less common than 
the Arkansas. 

Astragalinus lawrencei : Lawrence Goldfinch. — One taken by Mr. Brown 
in February. 

Spinus pinus : Pine Siskin. — Common and at times an abundant winter 
visitor in the Catalinas. 

Calcarius ornatus : Chestnut-collared Longspur. — A large flock seen in 
November on mesa of Catalina foothills. 

Pooecetes gramineus confms : Western Vesper Sparrow. — Migrant in Cat- 
alina region. 

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus : Western Savanna Sparrow. — Oc- 
curs rather sparingly about Tucson in fall, winter, and spring (Brown). 

Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus : Western Grasshopper Sparrow. — 
Apparently rather an uncommon resident of the mesas of the Catalina 
foothills. 

Chondestes grammacus strigatus : Western Lark Sparrow. — Resident about 
Tucson and common in the Catalina region up to 5000 feet in the 
warmer months. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys : White-crowned Sparrow. — Apparently rare. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii : Intermediate Sparrow. — Winter resident. 

Spizella socialis arizonce : Western Chipping sparrow. — In Catalinas ; rare 
in summer, abundant in fall, winter, and spring. 

Spizella pallida : Clay-colored Sparrow. — Seen at Mineral Creek in Octo- 
ber, November, and March. 

Spizella atrogularis : Black-chinned Sparrow. — Apparently rare. 

Junco hyemalis : Slate-colored Junco. — Rare, but of regular occurrence in 
the Catalina region. 

Junco hyemalis connectens : Intermediate Junco. — Common winter resident. 

Junco mearnsi : Pink-sided Junco. — Apparently not very common in the 
Catalinas. 

Junco caniceps : Gray-headed Junco. — Common in winter in foothill region 
of the Catalinas. 

Junco phceonotus palliatus : Arizona Junco. — Found in Catalinas and Pinal 
mountains in pine woods in fall and winter. 

Junco phceonotus dorsalis : Red-backed Junco. — Three specimens taken in 
the Catalinas. 

Amphispiza hilineata deserticola : Desert Sparrow. — Common resident of 
the foothill region of the Catalinas, and abundant about Tucson. 

Amphispiza belli nevadensis : Sage Sparrow. — One seen in Catalina Moun- 
tains ; not common at Tucson. A number seen on low mesa near the 
San Pedro in November. 

Aimophila carpalis : Rufous-winged Sparrow. — Common in Catalina foot- 
hills in migrations, 3000 to 4500 feet. 



INTRODUCTION 

Aimophila ruficeps scottii : Scott Sparrow. — Resident in the Catalinaa 

down to 3000 feet in winter. 
Melospiza melodia fallax : Desert Song Sparrow. — Apparently resident 

about Tucson. 
Melospiza melodia montana : Mountain Song Sparrow. — Not uncommon on 

San Pedro River in January ; irregular winter visitor about Tucson. 
Melospiza lincolnii : Lincoln Sparrow. — Regular migrant in the Catalina 

Mountains ; a few probably winter. 
Pipilo maculatus megalonyx : Spurred Towhee. — Common resident of the 

Catalinas, breeding above 5000 feet. 
Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus : Canyon Towhee. — Common resident throughout 

the entire region, ranging up to pine forests in warmer months. 
Pipilo aberti : Abert Towhee. — Resident about Tucson and Florence. 
Oreospiza chlorura : Green-tailed Towhee. — Common migrant in the 

Catalinas, a few wintering. 
Cardinalis cardinalis superbus : Arizona Cardinal. — Generally distributed, 

ranging up to about 5000 feet. 
Pyrrhuloxia sinuata : Arizona Pyrrhuloxia. — Rare or casual in foothills of 

the Catalinas. Rather common about Tucson. 
Zamelodia melanocephala : Black-headed Grosbeak. — Found breeding at 

5000 feet at Mineral Creek ; found also in Catalina Mountains. 
Guiraca ccerulea lazula : Western Blue Grosbeak. — Rather rare about 

Tucson in spring (Brown). 
Cyanospiza amoena : Lazuli Bunting. — Found at Mineral Creek and in 

Catalinas ; breeds, but not commonly, about Tucson. 
Spiza americana : Dickcissel. — One taken near Tucson in September by 

Mr. Brown. 
Calarnospiza melanocorys : Lark Bunting. — Seen nearly throughout the 

year, sometimes in enormous flocks. 
Piranga ludoviciana : Louisiana Tanager. — - Summer resident in pine 

forests of the mountains. 
Piranga hepaiica : Hepatic Tanager. — Summer resident in the oak regions. 
Piranga rubra cooperi : Cooper Tanager. — Common summer resident about 

Tucson, Riverside, Florence, Mineral Creek, and the San Pedro Valley. 

A few breed in the Catalinas. 
Progne subis hesperia : Western Martin. — Rather-uncommon about Tucson. 
Petrochelidon lunifrons : Eave Swallow. — Seen in numbers about Riverside 

in April. 
Hirundo erythrogastra : Barn Swallow. — Common migrant. Breeds spar- 
ingly in the Catalinas at 5000 feet. 
Tachycineta bicolor : Tree Swallow. — Rare about Tucson (Brown). 
Tachycineta thalassina lepida : Violet-green Swallow. — Commonest swal- 
low of the Catalinas. 
Riparia riparia : Bank Swallow. — Breeds about Fort Lowell (Brown). 
Stelgidopteryx serripennis : Rough-winged Swallow. — Rather rare about 

Tucson (Brown). 
Ampelis cedrorum : Cedar Waxwing. — Taken near Tucson in May and 

June. 
Phainopepla nitens : Phainopepla. — Summer resident to about 5000 feet. 

Winters in small numbers from Tucson southward. 
Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides : White -rumped Shrike. — Resident to 

about 5500 feet. 
Vireo gilvus : Warbling Vireo. — Common migrant. A few breed in the 

Catalinas as low as 3500 feet. 
Vireo solitarius cassinii : Cassin Vireo. — Rather uncommon migrant in 

the Catalinas. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxxi 

Vireo solitarius plumbeus : Plumbeous Vireo. — Undoubtedly breeds in the 

mountains above 7000 feet. 
Vireo huttoni stephensi : Stephens Vireo. — Four specimens taken in the 

mountains. 
Vireo pusilius : Least Vireo. — Common summer resident up to 4000 feet. 
Vireo vicinior : Gray Vireo. — Fairly abundant on Catalina foothills from 

2800 to 4000 feet. 
Helininthophila lucice : Lucy Warbler. — A common migrant and summer 

resident in suitable places up to 4000 feet. 
Helininthophila virginice : Virginia Warbler. — Doubtless breeds in the 

Catalinas above 4000 feet. 
Helininthophila ruhricapilla gutturalis : Calaveras Warbler. — Migrant in 

the Catalinas at 4000 feet. 
Helminthophila celata lutescens : Lutescent Warbler. — Rather common 

spring and fall migrant in the Catalinas at 4000 feet and probably breeds 

in the pine forests of the higher altitudes. 
Dendroica olivacea : Olive Warbler. — Seen in the Catalinas at about 

10.000 feet in November, in company with bluebirds. 
Dendroica oestiva sonorana : Sonera Yellow Warbler. — Rather common,- 

breeding in the Catalinas up to 4500 feet. 
Dendroica coronata : Yellow-rumped Warbler. — Not nearly so common as 

D. auduboni, but of regular occvirrence as a migrant. 
Dendroica auduboni : Audubon Warbler. — A common migrant ; a few 

probably breed in the pine forests. They winter in small numbers in 

the river valleys. 
Dendroica gracice : Grace Warbler. — Seen in pine forests of Catalinas in 

spring. 
Dendroica nigrescens : Black-throated Gray Warbler. — Quite common 

migrant in the Catalinas, breeding rarely above 4500 feet. 
Dendroica townsendi : Townsend Warbler. — Found migrating in the Pinal 

and Catalina ranges. 
Dendroica occidentalis : Hermit Warbler. — Found once in Catalinas at 

3500 feet. 
Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis : Grinnell Water Thrush. — Two birds 

probably of this subspecies taken at 3500 feet in the Catalinas, in Sep- 
tember. 
Geothlypis tolmiei : Maegillivray Warbler. — Rather a common migrant, a 

few probably breeding in the Catalinas. 
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis : Western Yellow-throat. — A rather com- 
mon migrant ; breeds about Tucson. 
Icteria virens longicauda : Long-tailed Chat. — Common migrant and sum- 
mer resident in suitable localities up to 4000 feet. 
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata : Pileolated Warbler, — Rather common mi- 
grant. 
Setophaga ruticilla : Redstart. — One taken near Tucson by Mr. Brown, 

and one in Catalina Mountains. 
Setophaga picta : Painted Redstart. — Summer resident in the Catalinas, 

breeding as low as 5000 feet in the oak belt. 
Cardellina rubrifrons : Red-faced Warbler. — Common in the pine forests 

of the Catalinas in April. 
Anthus pensilvanicus : Pipit. — Not uncommon as a migrant throughout the 

region. 
Oroscoptes montanus : Sage Thrasher. — Common fall migrant in Pinal 

Mountains ; common migrant and winter resident of Catalina foothills up 

to 3500 feet. 



Ixxxii INTRODUCTION 

Mimus polyglottos leucopterus : Western Mocking-bird. — Common resident 

throughout the reg-ion up to 5000 feet. 
Toxostoma hendirei : Bendire Thrasher. — Resident on the plains from 

Tucson southward, and quite common about Florence in the warmer 

months. Breeds in Catalinas below 4000 feet. 
Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri: Palmer Thrasher. — Common resident in 

choUa cactus region. 
Toxostoma crissalis : Crissal Thrasher. — Apparently resident throughout 

the region. 
Heleodytes brunneicapillus : Cactus Wren. — Common resident throughout 

the region below 4000 feet. 
Salpinctes obsoletus : Rock Wren. — More or less abundant in the counties 

considered. 
Catheipes mexicanus conspersus : Canyon Wren. — Resident in mountain 

canyons up to 5000 feet. 
Thryomanes hewickii leucogaster : Baird Wren. — Resident in the Catalinas 

and Pinal Mountains up to about 6000 feet. 
Troglodytes a'edon aztecus : Western House Wren. — Breeds in pine re- 
gions. 
Cistothorus palustris plesius : Western Marsh Wren. — One taken by Mr. 

Brown near Tucson. 
Certhia familiar is albescens : Mexican Creeper. — One taken in pine forests 

of Catalinas in April. 
Sitta carolinensis aculeata : Slender-billed Nuthatch. — Common resident in 

pine woods and higher altitudes. 
Sitta canadensis : Red-breasted Nuthatch. — One taken at 4500 feet in the 

Catalinas. 
Sitta pygmcEa : Pygmy Nuthatch. — Found in pine forests of Pinal and 

Catalina Mountains. 
Parus wollweheri : Bridled Titmouse. — Rather common resident of the 

oak region in the Pinal and Catalina Mountains. 
Psaltriparus plumbeus : Lead-colored Bush-Tit. — Resident in the Cata- 
linas up to about 7500 feet. 
Auriparus flaviceps : Verdin. — Resident throughout the entire region up 

to 4000 feet. 
Regulus calendula : Ruby-crowned Kinglet. — ^Common migrant and 

winter resident in the oak belt. 
Polioptila ccerulea ohscura : Western Gnatcatcher. ^- Breeds commonly in 

the Catalinas, but winters on the plains and mesas. 
Polioptila plumbea : Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. — Common resident about 

Tucson and in valley of San Pedro. 
Myadestes townsendii : Townsend Solitaire. — Found in the mountains. 
Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola : Willow Thrush. — One taken by Mr. Brown 

at Tucson. 
Hylocichla guttata : Alaska Hermit Thrush. — Winter visitant. 
Hylocichla guttata auduboni : Audubon Hermit Thrush. — Three speci- 
mens taken. 
Merula migratoria propinqua : Western Robin. — Common winter resident, 

_35p0 to 6000 feet._ 
Sialia mexicana occidentalis : Western Bluebird. — Winter resident of the 

foothills ; also breeds in small numbers in the Catalinas. 
Sialia arctica : Mountain Bluebird. — Irregular fall and winter visitant of 

the foothills. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxxiii 

BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 
GENERAL WORKS. 

American Ornithologists' Union. Check-List of North American 

Birds. Second Edition (1895). 
Audubon, John James. Birds of America. — Ornithological Biography. 
Baird, Spencer F. Review of American Birds. Smithsonian Mis. Col. 

1864-1866 ; U. S. and Mexican Bomidary Survey, vol. ii. part ii. 1859. 
Baird, S. F., Cassin, J., and Lawrence, G. N. Pacific R. R. Reports, 

vol. ix., Birds, 1858. 
Baird, S. F., Brewer, T. M., and Ridgway, R. History of North 

American Birds. Little, Brown & Co., Boston, 3 vols.. Land Birds, 

1874; 2 vols., Water Birds, 1884. 
Beddard, F. E. Study and Classification of Birds. Long-mans, Green & 

Co., New York, 1898. 
Bendire, Charles E. Life Histories of North American Birds. Smith- 
sonian Institution, 2 vols. 1892, 1895. (Land birds through Icteridse.) 
Cassin, J. Illustrations of the Birds of Texas, California, etc., 1853, 1855, 

1856. 
Cooper, J. G., and Suckley, G. Pacific R. R. Report, vol. xii. No. ii. 1860. 
CouES, Elliott. Bibliography of Ornithology, Part i., Faunal Papers, 

Appendix to Birds of Colorado Valley, 566-784, 1878 ; Parts ii. and 

iii.. Systematic Papers, Bull. Geol. and Geog. Surv. Terr., Hayden, vol. 

V. Nos. 2 and 4, 1879 ; Part iv., Faunal Papers on British Birds, Proc. 

U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. ii. for 1879. — Birds of the Colorado Valley, U. S. 

Geol. Surv. Terr. 1878. — Birds of the Northwest, U. S. Geol. Surv. 

Terr. 1874. — Key to North American Birds, 5th ed., Dana Estes & Co., 

1903. 
Evans, A. H. Cambridge Nat. Hist., vol. ix., Birds. Macmillan Co., 

New York, 1899. 
Fisher, A. K. Rept. Orn. Death Valley Exped., N. A. Fauna No. 7, 

1893. U. S. Dept. Agr. 
Heerman, a. L. Pacific R. R. Rept., vol. x. part iv. Nos. i. and ii., Birds, 

1859. 
Henshaw, H. W. Rept. Orn. Spec, Wheeler's Surv. for the Years 1871, 

1872, and 1873. — Exp. West Hundredth Meridian, vol. v. chap. iii. Zo- 
ology, 1875. 
Kennerly, C. B. R. Pacific R. R. Rept., vol. x. No. 3, Birds, 19, 1859. 
Merriam, C. H. Mammals and Birds. 6th Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. Surv. 

Terr. 1872. 
Nelson, E. W. Rept. Nat. Hist. Coll. Alaska Arct. Ser., No. iii. part i.. 

Birds, 1877. 
Newton, Alfred. Dictionary of Birds. MacmiUan Co., New York, 4 

vols., 1893-1896. 
Ridgway, Robert. Birds of North and Middle America. Bull. No. 50, 

U. S. Nat. Mus. 1901, 1902. — Hummingbirds, Ann. Rept. U. S. Nat. 

Mus. 1890, sec. iii. 253. — Nomenclature of Colors, Little, Brown & 

Co.. Boston, 1896. — Manual of North American Birds, J. B. Lippin- 

cott Co., Philadelphia, 2d ed. 1896. — Ornithology of Survey of 40th 

Parallel, U. S. Geol. ExpL, part iii. 1877. 
Stejneger, L., and Others. Riverside Natural History, vol. iv., Birdsr 

(1885.) Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. 



Ixxxiv INTRODUCTION 

TowNSEND, C. H. Notes on Birds of Kowak River, and other portions of 

Alaska, Cruise of the Corwin, 1SS5. 
Turner, L. M. Contr. to Nat. Hist. Alaska, Arctic Ser. No. ii. 1S86. 
WooDHOUSE, S. W. Kept. Sitgreaves Exped. Zuni and Colorado Rivers, 



1853. 



PERIODICALS. 



American Field. American Field Publishing Company, 801 Masonic 

Temple, Chicago. 
Auk, The. Cambridge, Mass. 

Bird-Lore. The Macmillan Company, Harrisburg, Pa. 
Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club. (See Condor.) 
Bulletin op the Nuttall Ornithological Club. Cambridge, Mass., 

1876-1883. 
Condor, The. Hollywood, California (vol. i. published as Bull. Cooper 

Orn. Club). 
Forest and Stream. 127 Franklin St., New York. 
Nidologist, The. Alameda, California, 1893-1896. 
Ornithologist and Oologist. Hyde Park, Mass., 1881-1892. 
OsPREY, The. Washington, D. C, Sept., 1896-July, 1902. 
Proceedings California Academy of Sciences. Cal. Acad. Sci., San 

Francisco, California. 
Recreation. 4 West 22d Street, New York. 
ZoE. San Diego, California, 1st ser. 1890-1894. 

STATE LISTS. 

Arizona. — Coubs, Elliott. Birds of Fort Whipple, Proc. Acad. Nat. 
Sci. Phila. xviii. 1865, 1866 ; Birds of Colorado Valley, U. S. Geol. Surv. 
Terr. 1878. — Henshaw, H. W. Annotated List of Birds of Arizona, 
Expl. and Surv. West 100th Meridian, 1875. — Mearns, E. A. Avi- 
fauna of Portions of Arizona, Auk, vii. 45, 251, 1890. — Merriam, C, 
H., San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of Little Colorado, N. 
Am. Faima, No. 3, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Scott, W. E. D. 
Notes from Mountains of Southern Arizona, Auk, ii. 348, 1885. Avi- 
fauna of Pinal Coimty, with Remarks on Birds of Pima and Gila Coun- 
ties, Auk, iii. 249, 383, 421 ; iv. 16, 196 ; v. 29, 159. 

British Columbia. — Chapman, F. M. Collection of Birds of British 
Columbia, by C. P. Streator, Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. vol. 3, No. i. 1890.— 
Fannin, John. Check-List of British Columbia Birds, Provincial Mu- 
seum, 1898. — Osgood, W. H. Natural History of Queen Charlotte 
Islands, N. Am. Fauna, No. 21, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. 

Canada. — Macoun, John. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, Geol. Surv. 
Canada, 1900. 

California. — General. Belding, Lyman. Land Birds of the Pacific 
District, Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Cooper, J. G. Orni- 
thology of California, Geol. Surv. Calif. 1870. — Grinnell, Joseph. 
Check-List of California Birds, Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. iii. 1902. 
— LoOMis, L. M. California Water Birds, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. Ser. 2 and 
3, 1895, 1896, 1900. — Local. Barlow, C, and Price. W. W. List of 
Birds, Placerville to Lake Tahoe, Condor, iii. 150, 1901. — Blake, E. 
W. Summer Birds of Santa Cruz Island, Auk, iv. 328, 1887. — Bryant, 
Walter. Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands, Proc. Cal. Acad. 
2d Ser. i. 1888. — Cooper, J. G. Additions to Birds of Ventura County, 
Auk, iv. 85, 1887 ; Calif ornian Garden Birds, Am. Nat. x. No. 2, 90, 



INTRODUCTION Ixxxv 

1876. — EvERMANN, B. W. Birds of Ventura County, Auk, iii. 86, 179, 
1886. — Grinnell, Joseph. Birds of Pacific Slope of Los Angeles 
County, Pasadena Acad. Sci. No. ii. 1898. — Keeler, Chas. A. Bird 
Notes Afield, Elder & Shepard, San Francisco, 1889. — McGregor, R. 
C. Land Birds of Santa Cruz County, Pac. Coast Avifauna, No. 2, 1901. 
— Merriam, C. H. Biological Survey of Mount Shasta, N. Ana. Fauna, 
No. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. — Oberholser, H. C. Birds from 
Santa Barbara Islands, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. xxii. No. 1195, 205, 
1900. — Taylor, H. R., and Barlow, C. Story of the Farallones, 
Alameda, Cal., 1897. — Townsend, C. H. Field Notes on Mammals, 
Birds, and Reptiles of Northern California, Birds, Proc. U. S. Nat. 
Mus. X. 190, 1887. — Van DENBirRGH, John. Birds Observed in Cen- 
tral California in 1893, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1898 ; Birds of Santa 
Clara County, Proc. Am. Philos. Soc. vol. xxxviii. 157, 1899. 

Colorado. — Cooke, W. W. Birds of Colorado, State Agr. Coll. Bull. 
37, 1897 ; 44, 1898 ; 56, 1900. — Drew, F. M. Vertical Range of Birds 
in Colorado, Auk, ii. 11, 1885. 

Hudson Bay. — Preble, Edward A. Biological Investigations of 
Hudson Bay Region, N. Am. Fauna, No. 22, U. S. Dept. Agr. 1902. 

Idaho. — Merriam, C. H. Biological Reconnoissance of South Central 
Idaho, N. Am. Fauna, No. 5, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Merrill, J. C. Notes 
on Birds of Fort Sherman, Auk, xiv. 347, 1897 ; xv. 14, 1898. 

Kansas. — Goss, N. S. Birds of Kansas, Crane & Co., Topeka, Kan., 1891. 

Lower California. — Belding, Lyman. Catalogue Coll. Birds from 
Western Coast and Cape Regions of Lower California, Proc. U. S. Nat. 
Mus. vol. V. 527, 1882. — Brewster," William. Birds of Cape Region, 
Lower California, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. xli. 1, Sept. 1902. — Bryant, 
Walter. Catalogue of Birds of Lower California, Mexico, Proc. Cal. 
Acad. Sci. 1889. 

Manitoba. — Thompson, E. E. Birds of Manitoba, Proc. U. S. Nat 
Mus. vol. xiii. 458, 1890. 

Montana. — Cooper, J. G. Fauna of Montana, Am. Nat. ii. and iii. 
1869. — Richmond, Charles W., and Knowlton, F. H. Birds of 
South Central Montana, Auk, xi. 298, 1894. — Silloway, P. M. Sum- 
mer Birds of Flathead Lake, University Montana, Bull. No. 3, Biol. 
Ser. i. 1901. — Thorne, P. M. Birds of Fort Keogh, Auk, xii. 211, 
1895. 

Nebraska. — Bruner, Lawrence. Notes on Nebraska Birds, Neb. 
State Horticult. Soc. 1896. — Walcott, R. H. Corrections to Bruner, 
Proc. Neb. Orn. Union. 

Nevada. — Fisher, A. K. Ornithology of Death Valley Exp., from 
N. Am. Fauna, No. 7, 1893, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Hoffman, W. J. 
Birds of Nevada, Bull. Geol. and Geog. Surv. vol. vi. No. 2, Hayden 
Surv. 1881. 

New Mexico. — Anthony, A. W. Birds of Southwestern New Mex- 
ico, Auk, ix. 357, 1892. — Henry, T. C. Catalogue of Birds of New 
Mexico, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. xi. 104, 1859 ; Notes on Birds of 
New Mexico, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii. 306, 1855. — Henshaw, 
H. W. Birds of Upper Pecos River, Auk, ii. 326, 1885 ; iii. 73, 1886. 
Mitchell, W. I. Birds of San Miguel County, Auk, xv. 306, 1898. 

Oregon. — Anthony, A. W., Birds of Washington County, Auk, iii. 161, 
1886. — Belding, Lyman. Birds of Pacific Coast. California Acad. 
Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Bendire, Charles E. Notes on Birds of 
Southeastern Oregon, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xix. 1877, 109. — 
Merrill, J. C. Birds of Fort Klamath, Auk, v. 139, 251, 357, 1888. — 
Townsend, J. K. Catalogue Birds of Oregon, Narrative Journ. across 



Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION 

Rocky Mts., Appendix, Perkins & Marvin, Boston, 1839. — Woodcock, 
A. R. Annotated List of Birds of Oregon, Ore. Agr. Exper. Station, 
Bull. No. 68, 1902, Corvallis, Ore. 

South Dakota. — Grinnell, G. B. Ludlow's Rept. Reconn. Black 
Hills, Zool. Rept. chap, ii,. Birds, 1875. — McChesney, C. E. Birds of 
Coteau des Prairies of Eastern Dakota, Forest and Stream, vol. viii. 176, 
192, 224, 214, 261. 

Texas. — Attwater, H. P. Birds of San Antonio, Auk, ix. 337, 1892. — 
Brown, N. C. Second Season in Texas, Auk, i. 120, 1884. — Chapman, 
F. M. Birds of Corpus Christi, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. iii. No. 2, art. 
xxii. 315. — Lloyd, W. Birds of Tom Green and Concho Counties, Auk, 
iv. 181, 289, 1887. — Merrill, J. C. Notes on Texan Birds, Bull. Nutt. 
Ornith. Club, i. No. iv. 88, 1876. — Sennett, G. B. Notes on Orni- 
thology of Lower Rio Grande, Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. iv. No. i. 1, 
1878; V. No. 3, 371, 1879. 

Utah. — Henshaw, H. W. Annotated List of Birds of Utah, Ann. Lye. 
Nat. Hist. N. Y. xi. 1874, 1 ; Notes on the Bird Fauna of the Salt 
Lake Valley, Bull. Essex Inst. v. No. ii. xi. 168, 1873. 

Washington. — Cooper, J. C, and Suckley, G. Birds of 47th and 
49th Parallels, Pacific R. R. Rept. vol. xii. book ii. part iii. No. 3, 1860. 

— Dawson, W. L. Birds of Okonogan County, Auk, xiv. 168, 1897 ; 
Birds of Yakima County, Wilson, Bull. New Ser. vol. ix. No. 2, No. 39, 
1902. — KoBBE, W. H. Birds of Cape Disappointment, Auk, xvii. 349, 

1900. — Lawrence, R. H. Birds of Gray's Harbor, Auk, ix. 39, 352, 
1892. — Rathbun, S. F. Birds of Seattle, Auk, xix. 131, 1902. — 
Rhoads, S. N. Notes on Washington and British Columbia Birds, Auk, 
X. 16, 1893. 

Wyoming. — Cary, Merritt. Birds of Black Hills, Auk, xviii. 231, 

1901. — Knight, Wilbur C. Birds of Wyoming, University of Wyo- 
ming, Laramie. In press. 

SPECIAL SUBJECTS AND POPULAR WORKS. 

SPECIAL SUBJECTS. 

Bird Protection. 

A. 0. U. Committee on Bird Protection. Annual Repts., Auk, xiv. 21, 
1897 ; XV. 81, 1898 ; xvi. 55, 1899 ; xvii. 51, 1900 ; xviii. 68, 1901 ; xix. 
31, 1902. — Game Laws in Brief, Forest and Stream Publishing Co. 
(Quarterly), New York. — Palmer, T. S., and Oldys, H. W. Digest of 
Game Laws, 1901, Bull. 16, Biol. Surv. U. S. Dept. Agr. Game Laws 
for 1902, Farmer's Bull. No. 160, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Palmer, T. S. 
Legislation for the Protection of Birds other than Game Birds, Bull. 
No. 12, Biol. Surv., revised ed. 1902. — Lange, D. Our Native Birds, 
How to Protect them and Attract them to our Homes, The Macmillan 
Company, New York, 1899. — Masefield, J. R. B. Wild Bird Pro- 
tection and Nesting Boxes, Taylor Bros., Leeds, England, 1897. — Bird- 
Lore, Audubon Department, The Macmillan Company, Harrisburg, Penn. 

— Babcock, C. a. Bird Day ; How to Prepare for It, Silver, Burdett 
& Co., New York and Boston, 1901. 

Food of Birds. 

Publications of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. — Beal, 
F. E. L. Food of Woodpeckers, Bull. No. 7, 1895. — Food of Bobo- 
link, Blackbirds, and Crackles, Bull. No. 13, 1900; Some Common 



INTRODUCTION Ixxxvii 

Birds in their Relacion to Agriculture, Farmer's Bulletin, No. 54, 1897 ; 
Crow Blackbirds and their Food, Yearbook for 1894; The Meadowlark 
and Baltimore Oriole, Yearbook for 1895 ; Birds that Injure Grain, Year- 
book for 1897 ; How Birds Affect the Orchard, Yearbook for 1900 ; The 
Food of Cuckoos, Bull. No. 9, 1898 ; The Food of Nestling- Birds, Year- 
book for 1900. — Fisher, A. K. .Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint 
of the Farmer, Yearbook for 1894 ; Two Vanishing Game Birds, Wood- 
cock and Wood Duck, Yearbook for 1901. — Judd, S. D. Four Common 
Birds of the Farm and Garden, Yearbook for 1895 ; The Blue Jay and 
its Food, Yearbook for 1896 ; The Food of Shrikes, Bull. No. 9, 1898 ; 
The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture, Bull. No. 15, 1901. — Mer- 
RiAM, C. H., and Barrows, W. B. The Eng-lish Sparrow in America, 
Bull. No. 1, 1889. — Palmer, T. S. A Review of Economic Ornithology 
in the United States, Yearbook for 1899. 

Migration. 
Baird, S. F. Distribution and Migration N. Am. Birds, Am. Journ. Sci. 
Arts, vol. xli., Jan. 1866. — Belding, Lyman. Land Birds of Pacific 
Coast District, Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco, 1890. — Brewster, Wil- 
liam. Bird Migration Memoirs Nutt. Orn. Club, Cambridge, Mass., 1886. 

— Chapman, F. M. Remarks on Origin of Migration, Auk, xi. 12, 1894. 

— Cooke, W. W. Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, Div. Econ. 
Orn. Bull. No. 2, U. S. Dept. Agr. — Gatke, H. Heligoland, David Doug- 
las, Edinburgh, 1895. — LoOMis, L. M. Water Birds of California, Proc. 
Cal. Acad. Sci., San Francisco. — Stone, Witmer. Bird Waves and 
their Graphic Representation, Auk, viii. 194, 1891 ; Graphic Representa- 
tion of Bird Migration, Auk, vi. 139, 1889. See, also, sections on Migra- 
tion in Chapman's Bird-Life and Newton's Dictionary of Birds. 

Moult and Protective Coloration. 

Chadbourne, a. p. Individual Dichromatism in Megascops asio, Auk, 
xiii. 321, 1896 ; xiv. 33, 1897. — Clarke, H. L. Pterylography of the Ca- 
primulgidse, Auk, xviii. 187, 1901. — D wight, Jonathan, Jr. Moult of 
Quails and Grouse, Auk, xvii. 143, 1900 ; Plumage Cycles and Relation 
between Plumages and Moults, Auk, xix. 248, 1902 ; Sequence of Moults 
and Plumages of Laridse, Auk, xviii. 49, 1901 ; Sequences of Plumages 
and Moults of Passerine Birds, Annals New York Acad. Sci. vol. xiii. 77, 
1896. — Stone. Witmer. Moulting of Birds, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 
Phila. 1896, 108 ; Moult and Alleged Color Change in Birds, Ibis, Apr. 
1901, 177 ; Summer Moulting of Plumage of Certain Ducks, Proc. Acad. 
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1899, 467. See, also, Newton's Dictionary, Moult, and 
Chapman's Bird-Life, chap, iii., Colors of Birds. 

Nests and Eggs. 

Bendire, Charles E. Life Histories of North American Birds, 2 vols. 
Smith. Inst. 1892, 1895. — Davie, Oliver. Nests and Eggs of North 
American Birds, 5th ed. Landon Press, Columbus, Ohio, 1898. See, also, 
the Condor, Osprey, and Nidologist. 

Songs. 

BiCKNELL, E. p. A Study of the Singing of our Birds, Auk, i. 60, 126, 
209, 322, 1884 ; ii. 144, 249, 1885. — Cheney, S. P. Wood Notes Wild, 
Lee & Shepard, Boston, 1892. — Oldys, H. W. Parallel Growth of Bird 



Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION 

and Human Music, Harper's Monthly, August, 1902, vol. ev. No. dcxxvii. 
474. — WiTCHELL, Charles A. Evolution of Bird-Song, Adam & 
Charles Black, London, 1896. 

POPULAR BIRD BOOKS. 

Baskett, J. N. The Story of the Birds, D. Appleton & Co., New 
York, 1897. — Burroughs, John. Wake-Robin ; Fresh Fields ; Birds 
and Poets ; Locusts and Wild Honey ; Pepacton ; Winter Sunshine ; 
Signs and Seasons ; Riverby, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. — 
Chapman, Frank M. Bird Life (popular colored ed.), 1902 ; Bird 
Studies with a Camera, 1900 ; Handbook of Birds of Eastern North 
America, 1902, D. Appleton & Co., New York. — Eckstorm, Fannie 
Hardy. The Bird Book, D. C. Heath & Co., Boston, 1901; The 
Woodpeckers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1901. — Elliot, D. 
G. Shore Birds, 1895 ; Game Birds, 1897 ; Wild Fowl, 1898, Francis 
P. Harper, New York. — Herrick, Francis H. Home Life of Wild 
Birds, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1901. — Job, Herbert K. 
Among the Water-Fowl, Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, 1902. 
— Keeler, Charles A. Bird Notes Afield, Elder & Shepard, San 
Francisco, 1889. — Keyser, Leander S. Birds of the Rockies, A. C, 
McClurg & Co., Chicago, 1902. — Lord, W. R. Birds of Oregon and 
Washington, J. K. Gill Company, Portland, Oregon, revised edition, 
1902. — Mbrriam, F. a. A-Birding on a Bronco, Houghton, Mifflin & 
Co., Boston, 1896. — Miller, Olive Thorne. Bird- Ways; In Nesting 
Time ; Little Brothers of the Air ; A Bird-Lover in the West ; Upon 
the Tree-Tops ; First Book of Birds ; Second Book of Birds, Houghton, 
Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Torrey, Bradford. Birds in the Bush ; A 
Rambler's Lease ; The Foot-Path Way ; Everyday Birds, Houghton, 
Mifflin & Co., Boston. — Sandys and Van Dyke. Upland Game 
Birds, Macmillan Co., New York, 1892. — Van Dyke, T. S. Game 
Birds at Home, Fords, Howard & Hulbert, New York, 1895. — Wright, 
Mabel Osgood. Birdcraft, 2d ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1899. — 
Wright, Mabel Osgood, and Dr. Elliott Codes. Citizen Bird, 2d 
ed., Macmillan Co., New York, 1900. 

USE OF THE KEYS. 

If you are a beginner with a bird to identify, and do not know the 
orders into which birds are divided, go first to the Key to Orders, 
pp. 1,2. If your bird is a plover, you may not be sure whether it is 
classed with the water or land birds ; so begin with the Key to 
Water Birds. This key, as all others in the book, is dichotomous, 
that is to say, at every step the birds are divided into two classes, 
which have or have not a given character — birds are black or they 
are not black, they have crests or they have not crests, their feet are 
webbed or their feet are not webbed. At each step of the key a 
number and its prime are used to set apart the two classes. In the 
case of the Key to Orders of Water Birds the first two classes are 
birds which have 

1. Feet fully webbed. 



INTRODUCTION Ixxxix 

1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 

If the bird you want to name has fully webbed feet, read down 
the key from 1 ; if not, go to 1', and read down. The numbers fol- 
low consecutively from each heading. In this case the birds with 
fully webbed feet are divided again into several classes, and those 
without fully webbed feet also have subdivisions. 

1. Feet fully webbed (except Grebes in Pyg-opodes, which have the toes 
lobed or margined). 
2. Foot with three webs, all four toes connected. 

Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers, p. 3. 
2'. Foot with two webs, three front toes connected. 
3. Nostrils tubular . Tubinares : Tube-nosed Swimmiers, p. 3. 
3'. Nostrils not tubular. 

4. Edges of mandibles toothed or serrate. 

Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers, p. 3. 
4'. Edges of mandibles not toothed or serrate. 
5. Legs placed far back, Avings short. 

Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. 
5'. Legs placed near middle of body ; wings long and pointed. 

Longipennes : Long-winged Swimmers, p. 2. 
1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 
2, Lores and ring around eye naked. 

Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 
2'. Lores and ring around eye feathered. 

3. Hind toe long and approximately on a level with front toes (except 
in Cranes which are over three feet long). 

Paludicolae : Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 4. 

3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent ; bird never over twenty-six 

inches long Limicolae : Shore Birds, p. 4. 

Read down the key, passing the orders to which it does not 
belong till you come to the order to which it does belong. For in- 
stance, if your bird is a duck it has feet fully webbed (1), with two 
webs, three front toes connected (2'), nostrils not tubular (3'), and 
edges of mandibles toothed or serrate (4). It belongs to the Order 
Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers. If , on the other hand, the bird 
you want to name is a great blue heron, as it has not fully webbed 
feet, you throw out 1 and all its subdivisions, passing on to 1', — 
feet incompletely or not at all webbed. The first subdivision here 



2. Lores and ring around eye naked. 

Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises. 

You know if there is a naked ring around the eye, and to find 
what lores means you turn to the diagram of a bird, p. 1. When 
you find that your bird belongs to Order Herodiones, turn to the 
page given (4), where you will find a key to the families in the order. 



xc INTRODUCTION 

Read down this as before, when, by throwing out the families to 
which it does not belong, you come to Ardeidce — 2'. Bill straight 
and sharp, neck and most of head feathered, to which it does belong. 
Go now to the page specified (72), and run down the Key to Genera, 
contained in Family Ardeidae, and you find that it belongs to the 
genus Ardea, to which you are referred (p. 74). Here you find the 
general characters of the genus and a key to its species. As you 
know the bird is bluish gray_ and its size large you find it to be Ardea 
herodias, of which a detailed description is given (p. 75). If you 
have been identifying a bird that you have shot, you will have your 
own fresh measurements to compare with those in the description 
(see page xxvii.). 

In some of the more obscure birds you will find on getting to the 
description of the species that you have made a mistake in running 
down the keys, but by patience and care in following them you will 
be able to identify all but the most difficult birds. 

After a little study you will grasp the general classification of 
birds so that it will not be necessary to go through the whole series 
of keys for each bird. You may not know what it is, but you 
know many things that it is not, and if you make a practice of 
eliminating you will narrow down the possibilities so that it will be 
much easier to find your bird. You may not know whether it 
is a crow or a raven, but you do know that it is not a water bird, 
a hawk, owl, or sparrow, and so you can go on throwing out what 
you know it is not until you have to look up only those about which 
you feel uncertain. 

The question as to which subspecies a bird belongs to, unless de- 
terminable by geographic range, can often be decided only by expert 
ornithologists with large series of skins for comparison, and, in such 
cases, found often among some of the flycatchers, the song spar- 
rows, and wrens, the only way to be sure of your bird is to send it 
to a museum for identification. The National Museum in Washing- 
ton and the American Museum of Natural History in New York will 
both identify material sent them. 




Measurement of Bill 




Measurement of Tarsus 




TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD 



BIRDS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES 



KEY TO ORDERS. 
WATER BIRDS. 



1. Feet fully webbed (except grebes in Pyg-opodes, which have the toes 
lobed or margined). 
2. Foot with three webs, all four toes connected. 

Steganopodes : Totipalmate Swimmers, p. 3. 
2'. Foot with two webs, three front toes connected. 
3. Nostrils tubular. Tubiiiares : Tube-nosed S^vimmers, p. 3. 
3'. Nostrils not tubular. 

4. Edges of mandibles toothed or serrate. 

Anseres : Lamellirostral Swimmers, p. 3. 
4'. Edges of mandibles not toothed or serrate. 
5. Legs placed far back ; wings short. 

Pygopodes : Diving Birds, p. 2. 
5'. Legs placed near middle of body ; wings long and pointed. 

Longipennes : Long-Tvinged Swimmers, p. 2. 
1'. Feet incompletely or not at all webbed. 
2. Lores and ring around eye naked. 

Herodiones : Herons, Storks, and Ibises, p. 4. 
2'. Lores and ring around eye feathered. 

3. Hind toe long and approximately on a level with front toes (except 

in cranes, which are over three feet long) . . . PaludicolaB : 

Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 4. 

3'. Hind toe short and elevated or absent ; bird never over twenty-six 

inches long ...... Limicolae : Shore Birds, p. 4. 

LAND BIRDS. 

1. Bill strongly hooked. 

2. Toes two in front and two behind, outer toe permanently reversed. 

Psittaci : Parrots, etc., p. 109. 
2'. Toes three in front, or outer toe reversible. 

Raptores : Birds of Prey, p. 109. 
1'. Bill not strongly hooked. 

2. Hind toe small and elevated above front ones. 

Gallinae : Gallinaceous Birds, p. 108. 
2'. Hind toe not elevated above front ones. 
3. Bill with soft swollen skin around nostrils. 

Columbae : Pigeons or Doves, p. 108. 



KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 

3'. Bill without soft swollen skin around nostrils. 

4. Toes always three in front, middle and outer ones never connected 
for half their length ; feet strong. 

Passeres : Perching Birds, p. 110. 
4'. Toes two or three in front ; if three, middle and outer connected 
for at least half their length, or feet small and weak. 

5. Bill needle-like, or short, with wide gape . Macrochires : 

Goatsuckers, S-wifts, and Hummingbirds, p. 110. 

6. Bill not needle-like nor with wide gape. 
6. Tail feathers stiff and pointed. 

Pici : "Woodpeckers, p. 110. 

6'. Tail feathers soft, with normal tips .... Coccyges : 

Cuckoos, Trogons, and Kingfishers, p. 109. 



KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS. 
ORDER PYGOPODBS: DIVING BIRDS. 



1. Tail wanting ; feet not fully webbed. 

Podicipidae : Grebes, p. 5. 



1'. Tail present, but short; feet webbed. 

2. Hind toe present Gaviidae : Loons, p. 9. 



2'. Hind toe absent Alcidae : 

Auks, Murres, and Puffins, p. 11. 




Fig. 3. 



ORDER LONGIPENNBS: LONG- WINGED 

SWIMMERS. 





Fig. 4. 



1 . Upper mandible with distinct basal saddle. 

Stercorariidae : Jaegers, etc., p. 17. 



^^C^ 1'. Upper mandible in one piece. 

^^ "^ Laridae : Gulls and Terns, p. 19, 



Fig. 6. 



KEl^ TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 



ORDER TUBINARES: TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. 



1. Nasal tubes separated and at sides of bill. 

Diomedeidse : Albatrosses, p. 32. 



r. Nasal tubes connected on top of bill. 
Procellariidae : Fulmars, 

Shearwaters, and Petrels, p. 33. 





ORDER STEGANOPODES : 
TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. 



1. Bill straight and sharp, not hooked at tip. ^^^' ^' 

Anhingidae : Darters, p. 39. 
1 . Bill strongly hooked at tip. 

2. Tail deeply forked ; space around eye feath- 
ered. 
Fregatidae : Man-o'-War Birds, p. 43. 

2'. Tail not forked ; space around eye naked. 



3. Bill narrow, with slight pouch at base. 

Phalacrocoracidae : 

Cormorants, p. 39. 



3'. Bill wide and flat, with large pouch. 
Pelecanidae : Pelicans, p. 42. 




Fig. 1 



ORDER ANSBRES: LAMBLLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 



i. Short-legged swimmers Anatidae ; 

^ Ducks, Geese, and Swans, p. 44. 




Fig. 13. 




4 KEY TO FAMILIES OF WATER BIRDS 

ORDER HBRODIONES: HERONS, STORKS, AND 

IBISES. 

1, Bill grooved along sides from nostril to tip. 

Ibididae : Ibises, p. 70. 

^^^' ^'^^ 1'. Bill not grooved along sides from nostril to tip. 

2. Bill slightly decurved or else inclined upward 

toward end ; head and part of neck naked. 

Ciconiidae : 

Storks and Wood Ibises, p. 72. 

2'. Bill straight and sharp ; neck and most of 

head feathered. Fig. 15. Ardeidse :' 

Fig. 15. Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, p. 72. 

ORDER PALUDICOL^ : CRANES, RAILS, COOTS, 
AND GALLINULES. 

1. Hind toe small and much elevated ; size large, wing 17 or 

more. Fig. 16 Gruidae : Cranes, p. 78. 

1'. Hind toe long, nearly on a level with front toes ; 

size small, wing 10 or less. Fig. 17- Rallidae : 

Rails, Coots, Gallinules, etc., p. 79. 

Fig. 17. Fig. 16. 

ORDER LIMICOL^: SHORE BIRDS. 

1. Hind claw, if any, not longer than its toe. 

2. Front of tarsus covered with transverse scutellaB. Fig. 18. 
3. Tarsus very thin, toes with lateral scallops or membranes. 
Phalaropodidae : Pl^alaropes, p. 84. 
3'. Tarsus rounded, toes without lateral scallops or mem- j,. ' jg 
branes. 
4. Bill slender, longer than middle toe without claw. 

Scolopacidae : Snipes, Sandpipers, etc., p. 87. 
4'. Bill stout, not longer than middle toe without claw. 
Aphrizidae : Surf Birds and Turnstones, p. 106. 
2'. Front of tarsus covered with hexagonal or irregular scu- 
tellse. Fig. 19. 
3. Tarsus more than twice as long as middle toe and claw. 

RecurvirostridaB : Avocets and Stilts, p. 86. 
3'. Tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe and claw. 

4. Bill longer than tarsus, laterally compressed and wedge- ^^' 

shaped . . Haematopodidae : Oyster-catchers, p. 107. 
4'. Bill shorter than tarsus, pointed, not laterally compressed. 

Charadriidae : Plovers, p. 102. 
1'. Hind claw longer than its toe ; wing with spur. 

Jacanidae : Jacana, p. 108. 





GREBES 5 

ORDER PYGOPODBS: DIVING BIRDS. 

(Families Podicipid^, Gaviid^, Alcid^.) 

FAMILY PODICIPIDiE : GREBES. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Bill long- and slender, tip not decurved. 

2. Bill five or more times as long as depth at base. 

^chmophorus, p. 5. 
2'. Bill less than four times as long as depth at base. 

Colymbus, p. 6. 
1'. Bill short and stout, tip of upper mandible decurved. 

Podilymbus, p. 8. 

GENUS ^CHMOPHORUS. 

1. -SIchmophorus oecidentalis (Lawr.). Western Grebe. 
Head without side 
crests; bill slender; 
neck nearly as long 
as body. Adults : 
top of head and line 
dov?n back of neck 
blackish ; back ' 

slaty g'ray ; throat . - " 

and under parts sil- [ 
very white. Male ; 
length 24-29, wing I 
7.45-8.50. bill 2.60- L 
3.05. Female : p , 

smaller, bill 2.10- " -^— 

2.48. ^^^- 20- 

Distribution. — From the Pacific to Manitoba, and from central Mexico 
to British Columbia and Alberta. 

Nest. — Floating on the water, a raft of tule stems, grass, and water 
plants, with a slight depression in the centre. Fggs : 4 to 5, white. 

To find the western grebe at home go to the tule-bordered lakes 
of eastern Oregon. Creep through the tall grass and part the tules 
on the edge of a clear pond, and right before you on the water is the 
grebe, with its silvery throat, graceful form, and fiery eye. A sud- 
den motion of your hand, and the needle-like bill pierces the water 
and the bird disappears like a flash of light, to reappear a full 
minute later well beyond shot-gun range from shore. If you make 
yourself known less suddenly the grebe instead of diving sinks 
slowly and without a ripple, never to reappear except far away or 
in some hidden part of the tules. 

As you watch the birds out in the lake, popping up and remain- 
ing long enough for a good breath, then going below to stay a much 




6 GREBES 

longer time, you wonder what they are finding. If you shoot one, 
a few tiny bones of minnows in its stomach mixed with the usual 
ball of feathers from its own breast tell part of the story and ex- 
plain its mermaid habits, slender head, long neck, and spear-like 
bill. 

But to get to the heart of the grebe's home you should wade out 
where the tules stand up to their necks in water. Here in the damp, 
saucer-shaped top of a floating island of tule stems, you find the 
eggs, warm and hastily covered with material from the sides of the 
nest. There is no bird in sight, but the large size of both nest and 
eggs serve to distinguish them from those of the smaller grebes. If 
you keep still for a little while a slender head and long neck may 
come up out of the water near you and a pair of keen eyes watch 
you anxiously for a moment, then quickly sink below again, to come 
up a little later on the other side. 

The grebes are rarely seen except on the water, but when, after 
much kicking and spattering, they are fairly launched on the wing, 
they have a steady rapid flight, and in migration make long jour- 
neys. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS COLYMBUS. 

General Characters. — Bill straight and sharp, never four times as long^ 
as its depth at base ; neck not nearly as long as body ; head sometimes 
crested. 

KEY TO SFECIES. 

1. Size large, bill over 1.50 holboellii, p. 6. 

1'. Size small or medium. 

2. Small, bill .82 brachypterus, p. 8. 

2'. Medium, bill about 1.00. 

3. Bill deeper than wide at base ; head of adult in breeding phimage 

heavily crested auritus, p. 7. 

3'. Bill wider than deep at base ; head of adult in breeding- plumage 
lightly crested californicus, p. 7. 

Subgenus Colymbus. 

2. Colymbus holbcellii {Beinh.). Holbcell Grebe. 

Bill nearly as long as head ; crests inconspicuous or wanting. Breeding 
plumage : top of head greenish black ; back blackish, with brown on wing's ; 
sides of head and throat patch white or grayish ; neck rufous ; lower 
parts washed with white over gray. Winter plumage and young : neck 
gray instead of rufous. Length : 18.00-20.50, wing 7.30-8.10, bill 1.65- 
2.40. 

Distribution. — North America, Greenland, and eastern Asia, breeding 
south to Minnesota, migrating south to South Carolina, southern Colorado, 
and Monterey Bay, California. 

Nest. — Made of reeds, grass, and mud, attached to growing reeds or 
masses of dead vegetable matter. Eggs : 4 to 5. 




EARED GREBE 




GREBES 7 

The Holbcell grebe nests in isolated pairs in reeds along the mar- 
gins of shallow, fish-frequented lakes, preferably in forested country, 
but also in prairie regions. 

Subgenus Dytes. 

3. Colymbus auritus Linn. Horned Grebe. 

About the size of the dabchick, but slenderer ; sexes similar ; cheeks 
and sides of head with crests or ruffs in adults. 
Breeding plumage : sides of head with yellow tufts 
of silky feathers, rest of head and throat black ; 
upper parts dusky; lower neck, chest, and sides 
rufous ; breast silvery white. Winter adults and 
young : crests scant or wanting ; throat white ; sides 
with little or no rufous. Length : 12.50-15.25, wing- 
about 5.75, bill about .85-1.00. 

Bemarks. — The young can usually be distin- 
guished from young calif amicus by the bill, which is 
higher than wide at base. 

Distribution. — Northern part of noi-thern hemi- 
sphere, breeding in North America chiefly north 
of the United States ; migrating south over the 
United States. j^ig 21. 

Nest. — Made of reeds, grass, and mud, attached 
to reeds, or on floating masses of sticks and sedges. Eggs : 5 to 8. 

In full plumage, with their big crests and mufflers and rich colors, 
the horned grebes easily rank as the handsomest of their family. 
In the United States they are seen on their migration journeys 
usually in small flocks, late in fall or following close on the retreat- 
ing ice in spring. In their northern summer home their habits are 
said to be similar to those of other grebes. 

4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.). Eared Grebe. 

Breeding plumage, — A fan-shaped tuft of yellow silky feathers on each 
side of head ; rest of head, neck, and chest black ; back blackish ; sides 
brown; breast silvery white. Winter plumage and young : upper parts and 
sides dusky ; throat and ear patch white or grayish ; bill slender, wider 
than deep at base ; crests wanting. Length : 12-14, wing 5.30, bill 1. 

Distribution. — Western North America, east to the Mississippi, north to 
Great Slave Lake, south to Guatemala, breeding throughout most of its 
range. 

Nest. — Floating on shallow water in ponds or lakes ; made of rushes. 
Eggs : 4 to 6, soiled white. 

In the Great Basin country where tall tules grow half way across 
some of the big shallow lakes, the eared grebes have made their 
homes for ages, raising their young in peace and as much quiet as 
the cackling of coots and rails, the quacking of ducks, and laughing 
of stilts and avocets would allow. Out in the open ponds diving for 
minnows, gliding among the dark tule stems, or brooding on their 
floating nests and caring for their downy black chicks, they have 



8 GREBES 

been comparatively safe from enemies, and year after year have 
gone south when the lakes froze over and come back again with the 
warm spring days. 

But this life of primitive security was rudely broken into when 
their beautiful silvery breasts and rich brown sides attracted the 
attention of the plume hunters, and within five or six years the 
demand for their skins for hats, muffs, and capes has grown so 
great as to threaten the species, and with it several other species of 
grebes, with extermination. Hunters go to the breeding-grounds 
and shoot the old birds when bold in defense of their eggs and 
young, stripping off their skins and shipping them in thousands to 
the cities. Unless some wise law intervenes, these harmless, beauti- 
ful spirits of the lake will soon have disappeared from the face of 
the earth. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Podiceps. 

5. Colymbus dominicus brachypterus Chapm. Least 

Grebe. 
A tiny dusky grebe, about half as big as the dabehick ; bill black, tipped 
with whitish. Adults : top of head and back 
dull greenish black ; chin and throat blackish ; 
sides of neck and head plumbeous ; breast 
mottled silvery gray. Wing : 3.80, bill .82. 
_ Distribution. — From Panama north to 

^ig- 22. southern Texas and Lower California. 

Nest. — On water, floating among the rushes. £^ggs : usually 7. 

These tiny grebes are as common in the ponds of southern Texas 
as the dabehick in the north. In open water they bob on the little 
waves, and in quiet pools where the willows overhang the banks 
swim and dive among the sedges and pink water-lilies. When not 
seeking food below the surface of the water, they usually keep 
close to some cover, and in the middle of the day if not hidden in 
the sedges are found sitting close under the shore grass, or in the 
shade of a bush or low-hanging tree. Yernon Bailey. 

GENUS PODILYMBUS. 

6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). Pied-billed Gkebe : Dabchick. 
Bill short and stout, head not crested. Breeding plumage : bill whitish, 

crossed by a black band; upper parts black- 
ish ; chin and throat black ; breast mottled 
silvery gray. Winter plumage : bill brown- 
ish, with paler lower mandible ; chin, throat, 
and breast whitish. Young : head and neck 
more or less striped with brown, black, and 
^^g-23- white. ien^fA; 12-15, wmg 4.50-5.00, bill 

about .87. 

Distribution. — North and South America, except extreme northern and 

bouthern parts, breeding throughout most of its range. 





LOONS 9 

Nest. — A floating- or anchored raft of water-soaked plant steins among- 
tules in shallow water. Eggs : 4 to 8, soiled whitish. 

Every boy who has carried a gun and crept through tall grass to 
the edges of ponds and lakes, or has followed the creeks, cutting 
from bend to bend, and peering cautiously up stream and down, 
has found himself more than once face to face with a little gray 
duck, — only it was n't a duck — which when he raised his gun dived 
just as he pulled the trigger, so the shot scattered over the sur- 
face of the water. No amount of waiting or searching the banks 
did any good, — the bird was never seen again, dead or alive. There 
was a mystery about it, and when some one older and wiser than 
he told him it was a water witch or hell diver, the mystery was 
only half solved. Where did it go? How could it stay under 
water through the half hour that he waited for it to come to the 
surface ? Had he been just around the next bend he might possibly 
have seen a gray bill and a pair of dark eyes that came up out of 
the water close to the bank, stayed just long enough for a good 
breath of air, and then disappeared for another long swim below the 
surface. 

Fortunately for the dabchick, its dress is all in dull colors, and as 
no one wants to borrow its plumes it may be hoped that, like the 
poor, the little plebeian may be always with us. Yernon Bailey. 



FAMILY GAVIIDiE: LOONS. 

GENUS GAVIA. 

. General Characters. — Tail feathers short and stiff ; front toes fully- 
webbed, hind toe small ; head and neck velvety, never crested. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tarsus longer than inner toe and claw ...... lumme, p. 11. 

1'. Tarsus shorter than inner toe and claw. 

2. Head and neck black imber, p. 9. 

2'. Back of head and neck smoky gray. 
3. Larger, wing 12.55, back of head dark gray . . arctica, p. 10. 
3'. Smaller, wing 11.54, back of head light gray . . pacifica, p. 10. 

7. Ga via imber (G^wnn.). Loon: Great Northern Diver. 

Adults in summer plumage. — Head and neck velvety black, glossed with 
green ; throat and sides of neck crossed by series 
of white streaks ; breast white ; back black, 
spotted with white. Winter plumage and young : 
back slaty, without white spots ; throat white. 
Length : 28-36, wing 14.06, bill 3.07. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemi- pj 24. 

sphere, breeding in the northern United States 
and northward ; south in winter to Gulf of Mexico and Lower California. 




10 LOONS 

Nest. — Usually the hollowed-out top of an old muskrat house in a lake. 
Eggs : 2, dark olive gray, spotted with black and more or less stained 
with brown. 

In the north spring comes with a bound. A few warm days and 
a rain — the ice breaks — and then, with a wild shrill cry overhead 
come the loons, with strong steady flight — and spring is here. 
On their home waters the loons are found usiially in pairs, swim- 
ming in the clear rivers and lakes, not paddling around shore or in 
the wild rice or tules with the ducks and grebes, but out in a big 
sweep of open water. If alarmed they dive, and few if any birds 
can equal them in long rapid journeys under water. If the lake is 
shallow you can follow their wake, but you must be a good rower 
with a good boat to keep up with one. If there is no wind a loon 
will often race for miles, showing only his head above water at long 
intervals rather than undertake the laborious water kicking per- 
formance necessary in order to get fairly on the wing. Against a 
stilt" breeze the birds rise with less effort. On land they are practi- 
cally helpless, as they can neither walk nor take wing, and must 
slide and flap along to the nearest water. The water is their home 
from the time they hatch and tumble into it as furry balls of dusky 
down till their last cry rings over the surface. 

Only on the lonely lake in the heart of the woods do you get the 
startling thrill of the loon's wild cry, — one clear, piercing note or a 
long, quavering, demoniacal laugh that to the timid suggests a herd 
of screaming panthers. It is one of the stirring, inspiring sounds 
of nature, like the scream of an eagle or the bugling of a flock of 
swans, and after hearing it you no longer wonder that the loon has 
figured in poetry and legend. , Vernon Bailey. 

9. Gavia arctica (Linn.). Black-throated Loon. 

Adults in summer. — Back of head and neck smoky or plumbeous gray ; 
throat and fore neck purplish black, throat crossed by transverse bars of 
white streaks, a series of longitudinal white streaks separating the gray 
and black on sides of neck ; back black, barred and spotted with white ; 
breast pure white. Winter and immature plumages: white markings of 
back wanting, and throat white. Length : 26-29, wing 12.55, bill 2.60. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in arctic 
America and migrating south to extreme northern states, east of the 
Kocky Mountains. 

Eggs. — Laid on the ground on a small islet in a pond ; dark olive, 
blotched with black. 

10. Gavia pacifica (Lawr.). Pacific Loon. 

Breeding plumage. — Back of head and neck smoky gray or whitish ; 
throat black, glossed with greenish or purplish and crossed by transverse 
bar of white streaks ; sides of neck with series of longitudinal white 
streaks ; back black, with four series of white bars ; lower parts white. 



AUKS, MURKES, AND PUFFINS 11 




Fig. 25. Pacific Loon 



Winter plumage and young: back without white markings; throat white. 
Wing: 11.54, biU 2.15. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from Lower California to Alaska, breeding 
far northward ; east to Hudson Bay. 

Macfarlane has found nests of the Pacific loon in wooded sections, 
in the Barren Grounds, and on the shores of the Arctic Sea. The 
birds reach these breeding places in June and leave in September. 
In winter Mr. Loomis has found them passing up and down the 
coast in great numbers. 

11. Gavia lumme {Gunn.). Red-throated Loon. 

Adults in summer plumage. — Head and neck plumbeous gray ; throat with 
a wedge-shaped patch of rich chestnut ; back sooty ; top of head and back 
of neck streaked and back specked with white ; under parts white. Winter 
plumage and young : throat and fore neck white. Length : 24-27, wing 
10.00-11.50, bill 2.25. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in arc- 
tic regions and migrating south nearly across the United States. 

Eggs. — 2, laid on the ground, like those of Gr. arctica, p. 10. 

In Alaska the red -throated are by far the most abundant of the 
loons. They reach St. Michaels and the Yukon delta with the first 
open water, and by the end of May are to be seen in great numbers, 
Mr. Nelson says they are extremely noisy all through the first part 
of summer, their harsh gr-r-gd-gr-r, gr-r-gd, gd-gr-r rising every- 
where from the marshes during the entire twenty-four hours. 

FAMILY ALCID^ : AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

gj> 1. Bill high, much compressed, ridged down sides ; a fold of 
•6 naked skin at corner of mouth .... Lunda, p. 12. 

Fig. 26. 1'. Bill not extremely high, compressed, nor ridged ; corner of 
mouth without fold of naked skin. 

g^'/\ 2. Nostrils covered by feathers .... Uria, p. 16. 
6 
Fig. 27. 2'. Nostrils exposed. 

3. Bill about as long as head, 1 or more. 



12 



AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 




4. Bill stout, tip decurved, base with horn in breed- 
ing season . . * . . . Cerorhinca, p. 13. 



O 4'. Bill slender and straight, base without horn. 

3 Cepphus, p. 16. 

3'. BiU much shorter than head, .80 or less. 
4. Bill wider than deep at base. 

Ptychoramphus, p. 13. 
4'. Bill much deeper than wide at base. 

5. Cutting edge of lower mandible concave. 

<^'\ 6. Bill .60, without knob at base. 
* Cyclorrhynchus, p. 14. 

Fig. 30. 



Fig. 31. 



6'. Bill .40 or less, with knob at base. 

Simorhynchus, p. 14. 



5^. Cutting edge of lower mandible convex. 
6. Tarsus scutellate in front. 

Synthliboramphus, p. 15. 
6'. Tarsus reticulate in front. 

Brachyramplius, p. 15. 



GENUS LUNDA. 

12. Lunda cirrhata Pall. Tufted Puffin. 

Bill compressed, nearly as high as long. Adults : upper parts sooty 

black ; under parts dark grayish. 
Breeding plumage : sides of face 
white, a long crest of fine silky yel- 
low feathers over each eye ; terminal 
half of bill, and feet, bright red. 
Winter plumage: sides of head 
dusky, and without crests ; horny 
covering of base of bill replaced by 
soft dusky brown skin ; feet flesh 
color. Young in first winter: similar 
to winter adult, but with rudiments 
of light brown crests, and sides of 
upper mandible without grooves. 
Length: 14.40-15.60, wing 7.75, bill 
1.30-1.45. _ 

Distribution. — Coast and islands 
from southern California to Alaska, 
and from Bering Strait to Japan. 
Egg. — 1, laid usually on the bare ground at the end of a burrow or in 

cavity among rocks on the face of a cliff. 

The tufted puffins nest preferably among cliffs and on earth and 
grass-covered edges of bluffs, and in such places the ground is often 




Fig. 32. 



AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 13 

a network of their burrows. When there is no soil to burrow in, 
the birds use natural cavities. 

^ They reach the Farallone Islands the latter part of March, and 
when the nests are made and incubation begun, Mr. Bryant says, 
they may be located by the presence of a sentinel at the entrance of 
the burrow. 

The bright and oddly shaped bill, white eyes, and yellow nuptial 
tufts, which flutter in the wind, give the bird a most distinguished 
appearance. Its bill is not only ah ornament but a most effective 
weapon. When caught in its burrow the puffin inflicts painful 
wounds with it, sometimes actually cutting to the bone, its jaws 
remaining set until pried apart or until it is killed. 

GENUS CERORHINCA. 

15. Cerorhinca monocerata {Pall). Rhinoceros Auklet. 

Bill much compressed, long-er than deep ; in breeding- season base of 
bill surmounted by uprig^ht horn. Breeding plum- 
age : upper parts dusky ; sides of head, throat, 
and rest of under parts plumbeous, except for whit- 
ish belly ; side of head with two series of white 
pointed feathers. Winter plumage : breast more uni- 
formly gray ; belly purer white ; horn absent. 
Young : head without crests. Length : 14.00-15.50, 
wing 7.25, bill from front edge of horn 1. 

Distribution. — From coasts and islands of the north Pacific to Lower 
California, and to Japan. 

When collecting the rhinoceros auklet at the Catalina Islands, Mr. 
Joseph Grinnell found it a most persistent diver and powerful 
swimmer under water. He did not see one of the birds on the wing. 
They all dived on approach. He says the auklet is so short and 
chunky that at a little distance it looks like a block of wood float- 
ing on the water. The food of the birds Mr. Grinnell took, on ex- 
amination of their stomachs, proved to be entirely a small yellow 
crustacean, none of which were to be seen anywhere near the sur- 
face. 

At Monterey Mr. Loomis saw an extensive migration of the auk- 
lets on January 12, 1895. The birds came from the north in pairs, 
and went on down the coast without stopping. 

GENUS PTYCHORAMPHUS. 

16. Ptyehoramphus aleuticus (Pall.). Cassin Auklet. 

Bill broader than deep at base ; upper outline nearly straight. 

Upper parts slaty black ; sides of head, neck, and throat plumbeous ; 
spot on lower eyelid, and tinder parts, white. Length : 8.00-9.50, wing 
4.75-5.25, bill .75. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America from Aleutian Islands to 
Lower California. 

£gg. — 1, unmarked, laid in a natural cavity. 





14 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 

At Monterey Mr. Loomis has found comparatively few Cassin 
auklets near land, but reports them as common off shore, especially 
on the ocean. In July he has found eggs and young birds on the, 
Farallone Islands, and in one case discovered an auklet sharing its 
apartment with two rabbits. The numbers of these birds on the 
islands was impressively shown one night during Mr. Loomis's visit. 
At sundown he saw several flocks flying high overhead and at two 
in the morning awakened to find the bird population in an uproar. 
Although it was pitch dark the voices of the auklets — which he com- 
pares to those of whip-poor-wills — filled the air till the whole island 
appeared to be alive with birds. 

GENUS CYCLORKHYNCHUS. 

17. Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus {Pall). Paroquet Auklet. 
Bill dark red, high, and thin, with sickle-shaped lower mandible curved 
upward. Breeding plumage : throat and upper 
parts sooty black ; under parts white ; a white line 
from lower eyelid back over ear ending- in a thin 
white crest. Winter plumage and young : throat 
as well as rest of under parts white. Length : 9.00- 
10.40, wing: 5.40-6.00, bill .60. 
Pig 34._ Distribution. — Coasts and islands of the north 

Pacific from the Kurile Islands and San Francisco 
Bay to Sitka, and northward. 

Egg. — 1, pure white, deposited in a deep chink or crevice. 

When sailing across Bering Sea, on the way to Norton Sound, Mr. 
Nelson's vessel was stopped and held by the pack ice. When the 
ice at last opened, he says, the water became covered by thousands of 
the strange little auklets, and as long as the ship was in the ice the 
only sounds beside the grinding of the cakes and the roar of the 
waves were the low whistled notes of the parrot and crested auklets, 
myriads of which surrounded the boat, * ' swimming buoyantly from 
side to side or skurrying away from the bow of the vessel." On the 
Fur Seal Islands the birds were again encountered, this time breed- 
ing on the cliffs, feeding at sea and returning to their nests and 
mates on the islands. 

GENUS SIMORHYNCHUS. 

20. Simorhynchus pusillus {Pall). Least Auklet. 
Size very small ; bill with knob at base ; crests of slender white feathers 
in front and back of eye. Breeding plumage : upper parts 
blackish, mixed with white on scapulars ; under parts white, 
irreg-ularly spotted or mottled with dusky, often forming 
a dusky band across chest. Winter plumage: under parts 
Fig. 35. ^jj^j sides of neck pure white ; face crests usually less de- 
veloped. Young : similar to winter adults but with more white on scapu- 
lars and without the white face feathers. Length : 5.50-7.20, wing 3.50t- 
4.00, bill .35-.40. 




AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 15 

Distribution. — Coasts and islands of the north Pacific from Bering 
Strait south to Washington and Japan. Recorded from Puget Sound, 
Auk, X. 17. 

GENUS SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS. 

21. Sytithliboramphus antiquus (G?we/.). Ancient Murrelet. 

Bill small and short, nostrils exposed ; front of tarsus covered with 
transverse scutellae. Breeding plumage : head and neck black, with large 
white patch on side of neck, a wide stripe of white filaments along back 
edge of crown, and scattered white filaments over back of neck ; back 
slaty ; sides black ; under parts white. Winter plumage : throat white ; 
head and back without white filaments ; sides grav. Length : 9.50-10.80, 
wing 5.25-5.50, bill .60. 

Distribution. — Coasts and islands of the north Pacific ; south to Monte- 
rey Bay. 

Nest. — As described by Littlejohn, often an abandoned burrow of Cassin 
auklet, a crevice under a rock, or a burrow under a tussock of rank grass, 
lined with dry grass ; but sometimes bare rocks, sand, or wet ground. 
Eggs : 2, deep buff, with small longitudinal markings of light brown and 
lavender gray. 

Ancient murrelets visit California in winter in considerable num- 
bers, and Mr. Loomis bas found them near the Seaside Laboratory- 
close to the surf in the little coves. He describes them as "great 
divers and swimmers under water, and voracious in their pursuit of 
small fry, occasionally driving the fish to the surface in the eager- 
ness of the chase." 

Mr. Littlejohn, who visited their breeding grounds on the Alaskan 
islands, says that on some of the favorite islands the entire surface 
was literally alive with murrelets, auklets, and petrels. 

GENUS BRACHYRAMPHUS. 

General Characters. — Bill small and slender ; colors plain ; head not 
crested. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tarsus shorter than middle toe to claw . . . marmoratus, p. 15. 
1'. Tarsus as long as, or longer than, middle toe to claw. 

hypoleucus, p. 16. 

23. Brachyramphus marmoratus [Gmel). Marbled Mur- 
relet. 

Breeding Plumage. — Upper parts dusky, back and sides barred with deep 
rusty brown ; under parts white, mottled with sooty brown. Winter plum- 
age: upper parts slaty, with white 
band on back of neck ; scapulars 
mixed with white ; feathers of back 
tipped with plumbeous ; flanks with 
dark gray stripes. Young: upper Fig. 36, 

parts dusky, collar and scapular spots indistinct ; under parts white, mot- 
tled, or speckled with sooty. Length : 9.50-10.00, wing 5, bill .60-.70. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from southern California to western Alaska. 




16 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 

Mr. Preble, who found these murrelets common at Neah Bay, Wash- 
ington, reports that they were almost invariably seen in pairs and 
that they were difficult to approach, as they dived at the slightest 
alarm. 

25. Brachyramphus hypoleucus Xantus. Xantus Murrelet. 

Upper parts plain dark slaty ; under parts and lining of wing pure white. 
Length ; 9.60-10.50, wing 4.50-5.25, bill .70-.80. 

Distribution. — Southern and Lower California from Santa Barbara 
Island to Cape St. Lucas. 

Mr. Grinnell writes from Los Angeles that this murrelet is fre- 
quently seen in the Santa Barbara Channel at all seasons. 

GENUS CEPPHUS. 

29. Cepphus COlumba Pall. Pigeon Guillemot. 

Bill black, straight, and slender, upper edge of nostril feathered ; 
feet bright red in summer, pink in winter. 
Breeding plumage : black, except for large 
white patch on base of wing which half in- 
closes a black triangle. Winter plumage : 
wings and tail as in summer, rest of plum- 
age mainly white, varied above and some- 
times below with black. Young : similar to 
winter adults, but white of wings obscured 
by dusky, tips of quills marked with white. 
Length: 13-14, wing 6.90-7.30, bill 1.20-1.40. 
Distribution. — Coast of the Pacific from 
southern California to the Aleutian Islands, 
yjg 37 and to northern Japan. 

Eggs. — As found by Dr. Dall, 2, at the 
bottom of a hole under the rocks near the water's edge. 

In Alaska Mr. Nelson found the pigeon guillemot one of the most 
abundant of the larger water birds, occurring wherever the coast 
was bordered by bold headlands or where there were precipitous 
islands. He says that their bright red legs and white wing patches 
make them very conspicuous. They are graceful swimmers and 
have the amusing habit of putting their heads under water and pad- 
dling along their headless bodies. 

Mr. Bryant, who has watched them at the Farallones, says that 
when at rest they squat like ducks on the rocks. Before brooding 
begins they often sit in groups, and when disturbed stand up, open 
their bills, and salute each other or their returning fellows with a 
whistling cry. 

GENUS URIA. 

30a. Uria troile californiea {Bryant). California Murre. 

Bill narrow and slender, nostril concealed in feathers ; a deep groove in 
feathers back of eye. Breeding plumage : upper parts slaty or blackish, sec- 




JAEGERS 17 

ondaries tipped with white ; sides of head, neck, and throat velvety sooty 

brown ; under parts pure white. 

Winter plumage : sides of head, 

neck, throat, and under parts aa^JP^ 

pure white ; a duskv stripe 

back of eye. Young: like ^ig. 38. California Murre. 

winter adults, but with white more restricted on sides of head and lower 

throat faintly mottled with dusky. Wing : 8.30, bill 1.86. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America ; south to southern Cali- 
fornia. 

Eggs. — Deposited on the bare rock. 

The attention of the ornithological world has been called to the 
murres by the San Francisco egg industry, which threatened to de- 
stroy the rookeries on the Farallone Islands. Between 1850 and 1856 
three or four millions of eggs are said to have been brought to San 
Francisco, where they sold for a little less than hens' eggs. In the 
eighties the number of eggs marketed annually, Mr. Bryant states, 
averaged from 180,000 to 228,000. This wholesale destruction de- 
creased the numbers of the murres to such an extent that in 1897 
the attention of the Lighthouse Board was called to the matter, and 
they put a stop to the business on the islands. 

The murres' eggs are considered a delicacy not only by man, but 
by gulls and young sea lions. Two or three gulls will sometimes 
combine to rob a nest. When they try to steal the young the murres 
crowd their little ones from the rocks so they can escape by diving. 

In describing the habits of the murres Mr. Bryant says that on the 
rocks they continually bow their heads and make a great noise, and 
when on the wing sometimes emit a curious grunting note. They 
are especially clamorous before a storm. 

When incubating, one bird stays on the nest during the day and 
the other during the night, and when the exchange is made a great 
commotion ensues, the air being filled with quarreling, screaming 
masses of bird life. 



ORDER LONGIPENNES: LONG-'WINGED 
SWIMMERS. 

(Families Stercoramid^, Lartd^, etc.) 

FAMILY STERCOR ARIIDiE : JAEGERS, ETC. 

GENUS STERCORARIUS. 

General Characters. — Bill stroi^ly hooked, nostrils near middle, section 
above and back of nostrils covered with a saddle-like plate ; tail with 
middle pair of feathers much the longest. 



18 JAEGERS 

KEY TO SPECIES OF STERCORARIUS. 

1. Middle pair of tail feathers wide, and rounded at ends. 

pomarinus, p. 18. 
1'. Middle pair of tail feathers narrow and sharp-pointed. 
2. Middle feathers about half longer than rest of tail. 

parasiticus, p. 18. 
2'. Middle feathers about twice as long as rest of tail. 

longicaudus, p. 18. 

36. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.). Pomarine Jaeger. 
Adults. — Light phase : face, crown, and upper parts, except collar, sooty 

black ; throat white, becoming silky yellow on cheeks and around back of 
neck ; breast white, chest and sides mottled with sooty. Dark phase : wholly 
dark sooty or plumbeous. All grades are found between the dark and 
light phases. Young : back dusky, feathers tipped with buff ; rest of ' 
plumage dull buff, barred with dusky. Length : 20-23, wing 13.50-14.00, 
tail 8-9, bill 1.45-1.75. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere ; south in winter to 
Africa, Australia, and probably South America ; in the United States to 
Michigan, Nebraska, and California. 

Mr. Nelson found the pomarine jaeger largely replacing the other 
two jaegers along the shores of the Arctic Ocean, especially on the 
edge of the ice pack and about the whaling fleet, where it found 
abundant fare. He says that the peculiar twist of its long tail 
feathers makes it conspicuous and easily identified as far as seen. 
When feeding it gives a low, harsh, chattering cry. 

Compared with the parasitic jaeger, the pomarine is a clumsy 
cowardly bird, Mr. Nelson tells us, and is made the sport of its active 
little relative. When met in the air, the pomarine wards off attack 
from one side by a half -closed wing, and from above by raising both 
wings to form an arched shield over its back.. One that Mr. Nelson 
saw attacked alighted on the river, and "at every swoop of its 
assailant thrust its head under water, exhibiting the most ludicrous 
terror. " 

37. Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.). Parasitic Jaeger. 
Adults. — Light phase : upper parts slaty, becoming blackish on crown, 

wings, and tail ; throat and under parts white ; sides of head and neck 
white or grayish, tinged with yellow. Dark phase : entire plumage slaty 
or sooty, darkest on crown, wings, and tail. Young: head and neck 
streaked, and under parts spotted and barred with buff and dusky. Length: 
15.50-21.00, wing 12.67, tail 7-9, billl. 27. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in arc- 
tic regions ; south in winter to New York, Illinois, Colorado, and southern 
California. 

Nest. — A depression in the moss. Eggs : 2. 

38. Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill. Long-tailed Jaeger. 
Adults. — Top and sides of head black ; back slaty ; neck and lower parts 





GULLS AND TERNS 19 

of head, including' ear coverts, . . . , — r^.. ^- t --. ^ — ^ -. . .-.v. .. ■ .-.^. .m ^A 

straw yellow, paler on throat; j ] 

chest, and sometimes breast and 

belly, white, shading- into gray on 

sides ; under tail coverts, and 

usually belly, gray ; feet black ; 

tarsus light bluish. Length : 20- 

23, wing 12.25, bill 1.19, longest 

tail feathers 10.50-14.50. 

Distribution. — Northern part 
of northern hemisphere, breed- 
ing in arctic regions ; south in 
winter to Florida, Gulf of Mex- 
ico, and California. Taken at 
Monterey Bay by Mr. Loomis. 

Eggs. — Deposited in a depres- 
sion in the mossy top of a knoll. Fig. ;;'J. Long tailed Jaeger. 

The long- tailed jaeger is so swift and graceful on the wing that 
Mr. Nelson compares its flight to that of the swallow-tailed kite. 
After chasing each other about or pursuing hapless gulls or terns, 
the birds may often be seen sunning themselves on an elevation, 
their white breasts pointing them out at a long distance. 

FAMILY LARID-aQ: GUIiLS AND TERNS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Bill deeper through angle of lower mandible than 
through nostril. 

Fig. 40. 2. Hind toe wanting, or a mere rudiment. 

Rissa, p. 19. 
2'. Hind toe small but perfect. 

3. Tail square across end .... Larus, p. 20. 
3'. Tail deeply forked Xema, p. 27. 

^^C t^Y !'• ^^'^ deeper through middle of nostril than through 

~ angle of lower mandible. 

Fig. 41. 

2. Tail forked for more than one fifth its length (ex- 
cept sometimes in S. caspia) ; outer feathers nar- 
row and pointed. 
3. Length of bill less than three times its depth at 

base Gelochelidon, p. 27. 

3'. Length of bill more than three times its depth 

at base Sterna, p. 27. 

2'. Tail forked for about one fifth its total length, 
outer feathers wide and rounded at tips. 

Hydrochelidon, p. 31. 

GENUS RISSA. 

40a. Eissa tridactyla poUicaris Bidgw. Pacific Kittiwake. 

Appearance gull-like ; hind toe minute, with or without a nail ; feet 




20 GULLS AND TERNS 

and legs black ; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw ; bill yellow, 
with greatest depth at base ; tail slightly emarginate, or forked. Adults : 
back and wings light bluish gray, five outer primaries tipped with black ; 
rest of plura^age pure white. Young : like adults, but with black or slaty 
on back of neck and across ear coverts. Length : 16.00-17.70, wing 12.25, 
bill 1.40-1.50. 

Distribution. — North Pacific and Bering Sea; south in winter casually 
to Lower California. 

Nest. — On inaccessible shelves of rock, made of grass and moss cemented 
with mud. Eggs : usually 2, gray, spotted with brown. 

The kittiwakes reach Alaska before the ice breaks up, and hunt 
for food in the tide cracks along shore. In the breeding season 
they take to the cliffs of the mainland or the rocky islands. From 
the end of August they hunt in the inner bays and mouths of small 
streams, but as they are strictly tide-water birds rarely go up the 
rivers. In October the ice forming on the bays drives them south. 

GENUS LAKUS. 

General Characters. — Bill deeper through angle of lower mandible than 
through nostril ; tail square across end ; hind toe small but perfect. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Size large, wing 15.00 or more. 
2. Wing without any black. 

3. Quills white or pale gray shading to white at ends. 

glaucus, p. 21. 
3', Quills clear gray with white tips . . . . glaucescens, p. 21. 
2'. Wing quills partly black at all times. 

3. Mantle dark slaty gray in adult occidentalis, p. 21. 

3'. Mantle light gray in adults. 

4. Lower mandible in adult with subterminal spot of red and spot of 

black : . californicus, p. 23. 

4'. Lower mandible in adult with subterminal spot of red only. 

5. Mantle delicate pearl gray argentatus, p. 22. 

5'. Mantle slightly darker gray vegae, p. 23. 

I'.Size medium or small, wing under 15 (rarely over in delawarensis) . 

2. Breast always dark slaty gray heermanni, p. 24. 

2'. Breast always white in adult, mottled in young. 
3. Head never black ; white in adults. 

4. Bill yellowish, with black band near end in adults. 

delawarensis, p. 23. 
4'. Bill greenish, without black band. 

5. Third quill with subterminal white spot in adult. 

brachyrhynchus, p. 24. 
5'. Third quill without subterminal white spot in adult. 

canus, p. 24. 
3'. Head black in summer adults, size small. 

4. Bill and tips of outer quills black . . Philadelphia, p. 26. 
4'. Bill dark red in adult, quills not tipped with black. 

5. Three outer quills mainly black .... atricilla, p. 25. 
5'. Five outer quills with tips and base white . franklinii, p. 25. 



GULLS AND TERNS 21 

42. Larus glaucus Briinn. Glaucous Gull. 

Primaries white or light gray, shading into white at ends. Adults in 
summer : mantle, i. e. back and top o£ wings, light pearl gray ; rest of 
plumage white. Adults in winter : head and neck streaked with grayish. 
Young : whitish, tinged below and mottled above with brownish gray. 
Length : 26-32, wing 16.75-18.75, bill 2.80-2.70. 

Distribution. — Arctic regions ; in North America south in winter to 
North Carolina, the Great Lakes, and San Francisco Bay. Not common in 
the United States. 

Nest. — A depression in a ledge of rock, lined scantily with fine grass, or 
a bulky mass of sod and tufts of moss on an islet in a pond. JEggs : 2 or 3. 

The glaucous gull has been found by Mr. Loomis at Monterey, 
and by Dr. Cooper and Mr. Kobbe in San Francisco Bay. 

44. Larus glaucescens Naum. Glaucous-winged Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Mantle light pearl gray ; primaries gray, with dis- 
tinct white tips ; rest of plumage white. Adults in winter: head and neck 
clouded with sooty gray. Young : deep ashy gray ; head and neck 
streaked, and rest of upper parts mottled with grayish white or dull buff. 
Length: 23.70-27.75, wing 16.25-17.30, biU 2.20-2.60, depth of bill at 
angle .80-.90. 

Distribution. — From Bering Sea south in winter to southern California 
and Japan. 

Nest. — Usually on the face of a rugged cliff, but sometimes in grass on 
grassy islands, or a depression in seaweed. Eggs : 3. 

Mr. Kobbe says that the glaucous-winged gulls are abundant in 
San Francisco Bay in winter, and Mr. Loomis has found them com- 
mon in Monterey Bay. Mr, Loomis says they make up the greater 
number of gulls in the large trains of gulls and pelicans that attend 
the whales that come into the bay. Near the ocean, in the Carmel 
valley, he has found them in company with western gulls following 
the plough like blackbirds. 

At Gray's Harbor, Washington, Mr. Lawrence says the gulls are 
very common from fall until late spring. During the salmon runs 
they often fly thirty miles to feed on the dead salmon along the 
streams, returning to the harbor to roost. The gulls also visit the 
salmon canneries to feed on the refuse. 

49. Larus oceidentalis And. Western Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Mantle dark slaty gray ; primaries, including inner 
webs of first, second, and usually third black, tipped with white ; rest of 
plumage white. Adults in winter: top of head and back of neck streaked 
with dusky. Young : upper parts brownish slaty, varied with buff and 
whitish ; quills and tail dull black, usually tipped with white ; under parts 
brownish grav, specked or spotted with whitish. Length : 24-27, wing 
15.75-17.00, bill 2.00-2.35, depth of bill at angle .85-.95. ' 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from British Columbia to Cape St. Lucas, 
Lower California. 

Nest. — A depression in seaweed. Eggs ; usually 3, light grayish olive, 
spotted with shades of brown and lilac. 



22 GULLS AND TERNS 

The western gull is abundant on the California coast at all seasons. 
At San Pedro harbor it is protected by law as a useful scavenger, 
and at Monterey Bay is so fearless that the young will alight within a 
few feet of the fishing boats to get what the fishermen throw out. 

On the Farallone Islands the birds assume another role. As INIr. 
Loomis says, " a more vagabond set of gulls than the western gulls 
inhabiting South Farallone Island during the egg season could 
scarcely be found. They are arrant thieves, robbing the murres 
wherever they have the opportunity." Before the mui-re egg indus- 
try was stopped they took an excited part in the collections. ]Mr. 
Loomis, speaking of it at the time, says that ' ' when the eggers 
appear on the scenes the gulls congregate and soon a large flock is 
formed, circling about overhead with loud cries, eagerly waiting the 
flight of the murres to join in the pillage. "\Mien exceptionally 
hungry the gulls are said to suddenly descend in a compact flock 
among the murres, frightening them from the eggs. One gull was 
seen trying to steal an egg from under a murre. The murre gave a 
reproachful squack and with a thrust of the bill drove the gull 
away." 

But though the gulls enjoyed the raids of the eggers, they suf- 
fered by them, for before the murres began to lay, the men took 
gulls' eggs to supply the market ; and when the murre harvest was 
ripe, recognizing the gulls as rival eggers, the men destroyed both 
their eggs and young. In addition to fish and eggs, the gulls eat 
sea-urchins, crabs, young murres, and rabbits. 

They congregate at South Farallone Island the first of April, Mr. 
Bryant tells us, and proceed to nest in small colonies. It takes them 
two weeks to repair their old nests, and even after the first egg is 
laid they may be seen carrying Farallone weed to the nest. 

51. Larus argentatus Brilnn. Herring Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Mantle delicate pearl gray ; five outer primaries 
black toward ends, and tipped with white ; a distinct gray wedge on inner 
web of second quill ; rest of plumage white ; bill yellow, with red spot near 
end of lower mandible ; feet pale flesh color. Adults m winter : head and 
neck streaked with grayish. Young: brownish gray; head and neck 
streaked with white ; back mottled with bufpy and gray ; quills and tail 
blackish ; bill dusky, feet purplish. Length : 22.50-26.00, wing 17.24, bill 
2.24, depth of bill through angle of lower mandible .68-.85. 

Distribution. — Northern hemisphere, including the whole of North 
America ; south in winter to Cuba and Lower California ; breeding from 
the Great Lakes northward. 

Nest. — On rocks or in trees, made mainly of grass, seaweed, and earth. 
Eggs: usually o, from pale olive drab to greenish or bluish white, irregu- 
larly spotted with lilac, yellowish, or brown, markings usually thickest 
about larger end. 

The herring gulls are abundant in the bays of San Francisco and 



GULLS AND TERNS 23 

Monterey in winter and common down the coast to San Diego. In 
the harbors they alight on the masts and fly about the vessels, often 
following them thirty or forty miles from land. Their name probably 
comes from the commotion they make at sight of a school of herring 
or other little fish. As they follow the small fry about, the fishermen 
often take them for pilots and follow to get the larger fish which are 
in pursuit of the little ones. 

52. Larus vegae (Palmen). Vega Gull. ^ 

Like argentatus, but mantle darker, deep pearl or plumbeous gray ; feet 
pale flesh color. Size about as in argentatus. 

Distribution. — Central Asia to Japan and Bering Sea, and down the 
coast of North America in winter to California. 

Mr. Kobbe, in The Auk (xix. 19), after examining a large num- 
ber of specimens, concludes that vegce and argentatus are identical, 
but as there is a difference of opinion as to its validity, the species 
is included on what seems to be its only character, the slightly 
darker mantle. 

53. Larus calif ornicus Lawr. California Gull. 

Adults. — Mantle clear bluish gray; outer primaries black, tipped with 
white, the first two with subterminal white spots; a distinct gray wedge 
on inner web of second ; bill yellow, with red and black spot near end 
of lower mandible ; feet greenish. Young : upper parts coarsely spotted 
and mottled with dusky, buffy , grayish , and whitish ; under parts mottled 
and streaked ; quills and tail blackish ; bill dusky, with black tip. Length : 
20-23, wing 15.00-16.75, biU 1.65-2.15, depth of bill at angle .60-.75. 

Distribution . — Western North America from Alaska to Mexico, chiefly 
in the interior. 

Mr. Loomis says that in the matter of numbers near Monterey in 
midwinter the California gull ranks with its larger congeners the 
glaucous-winged and the western. Mr. Grinnell finds it common 
along the southern coast, where it frequents the fresh-water marshes, 
and he has seen it on the Los Angeles river-bottoms. At Pescadero 
in the low fields near the ocean hundreds have been seen following 
the plough. 

54. Larus delawarensls Ord. Ring-billed Gull. 

Adults. — Mantle light pearl gray ; bill greenish yellow, crossed near end 
by a distinct black band, tip yellow or orange ; eyelids vermilion, iris pale 
yellow ; feet pale yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish. Young : upper 
parts dusky, feathers bordered and marked with grayish buif or whitish ; 
under parts white, spotted along sides with grayish brown ; quills blackish, 
the shorter ones gray at base and tipped with white ; base of tail gray, 
outer half blackish, tipped with white. Length : 18-20, wing 18.60-15.75, 
bill 1.55-1.75, depth at angle of lower mandible .50-.65. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America, breeding as far south as 
Colorado, but mainly north of the United States ; migrating south to Cuba 
and Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground, made of dry grass. Eggs : usually 3. 



24 GULLS AND TERNS 

Mr. Grinnell reports the ring-billed gull as tolerably common along 
the coast in midwinter, and Mr. Loomis has taken a few at Monterey. 
In Colorado they are the only gulls found abundantly throughout 
the state. Professor Cooke says they are very common in the fall 
migration on all bodies of water below 9000 feet, and he has found 
them breeding at the San Luis Lakes at an altitude of 7500 feet. 

Colonel Goss says that he has often seen the gulls on fall after- 
noons sailing and circling about in the air, catching grasshoppers and 
beetles. 

55. Larus braehyrhynchus Rich. Shokt-billed Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Mantle light pearl gray ; rest of plumage, except 
quills, white ; outer primary mainly black, with a large white spot near 
end ; second primary with a smaller white spot, white tip, and wedge of 
gray on inner web ; third with white tip and a large white space on inner 
web between gray and black ; bill greenish, with yellow tip ; feet and legs 
greenish. Adults in winter: head, neck, and chest mottled with dusky. 
Young: upper parts grayish brown, feathers bordered with pale grayish 
buff ; head, neck, and lower parts brownish gray ; tail gray at base, 
brownish gray toward end, and narrowly tipped with white. Length: 
16.50-18.00, wing 13.95, bill 1.45, depth of bill at angle .40-.50. 

Distribution. — Western North America, breeding far north ; south in 
winter to southern California. 

Nest. — On an islet, in a lake or pond, bulky, made of grasses and 
mosses. Eggs : 2 or 3. 

Mr. Loomis has found the short-billed gull common on both the 
bay and ocean about Point Pinos in winter. 

56. Larus canus Linn. Mew Gull. 

Adults. — Similar in general appearance to braehyrhynchus, but with inner 
webs of two outer quills mainly black behind the subterminal white spots, 
and third quill mainly black except for small white tip. Length : 17.00- 
18.50, wing 14.00-14.50, bill 1.35-1.60, depth of bill at angle .38-.50. 

Distribution. — Northern Europe and Asia ; found in Labrador (?) and at 
San Francisco Bay. 

The mew gull was formerly supposed to be confined almost 
entirely to Europe and Asia, but Mr. Loomis finds that it is common 
on the California coast in winter. 

57. Larus heermanni Cass. Heermann Gull. 

Adults in suynmer. — B\\\ bright red; head and upper neck white; back 

sooty gray, secondaries 
tipped with white ; prima- 
^^^^^^ ries and tail black, tail 

^ ' "'^^^^^^ - "^^^ ^ tipped with white ; under 

" parts dark gray. Adults in 

winter : head darker than 
body, otherwise as in summer. Young : sooty gray, feathers of upper 
parts bordered with whitish or pale buff ; or, entire plumage sooty gray 
except blackish tail and quills. Length : 17.50-21.00, wing 13.50, bill 1.50. 





GULLS AND TERNS 25 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia 
to Panama. 

Heermann gulls are generally common winter visitors in southern 
California. At Monterey Mr. Loomis has taken careful notes of 
their migratory movements. In May they were rare, in June adults 
were still scarce, but the latter half of the month immature birds 
were common. By the middle of July adults were abundant, and 
before August there was a great inroad of the dark-plumaged birds. 
Toward the end of August the western and Heermann gulls appeared 
to be of about equal abundance, and in November their flights 
rivaled or exceeded those of the western gull. 

Mr. Grinnell says that on the coast near Los Angeles where the 
fishermen draw their seines along the beaches, clouds of gulls are, 
usually attracted, about half of the flocks being Heermann and a 
quarter western gulls. 

58. Larus atricilla Linn. Laughing Gull.^ 

Adults in summer. — Head slaty black, mantle bluish gray ; rest of plum- 
age, except quills, white ; three outer quills black, the fourth and fifth 
black towards ends, all but first usually with very small white spot at tip ; 
bill and feet dark red. Adults in winter : head mainly white with dusky 
around eyes and on back of head. Young : upper parts mottled grayish 
brown ; breast smoky gray ; upper tail coverts white, base of tail gray, 
outer third black, narrowly tipped with whitish ; wing quills black. 
Length: 15-17, wing 13, bill 1.75, tarsus 2. 

Remarks. — The young of the laughing gull may be distinguished from 
Franklin and Bonaparte by its large size, longer bill, and wider black tail 
band. 

Distribution. — Atlantic and Gulf coast of United States and Pacific 
coast of Mexico ; south in winter to the Amazon. Recorded from Col- 
orado. 

Nest. — In trees, four to twenty feet from the ground, generally made 
of small sticks, lined with hay and moss. 

59. Larus franklinii Sw.^Rich. Franklin Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Bill 
bright red, with darker sub- 
terminal band ; head plum- 
beous black ; eyelids white ; 
mantle dark slaty ; quills 
gray, tipped with white, the 
five outer with subterrainal 
black spaces ; under parts ^ 
white, deeply tinted with rose 
pink. Adults in winter : head [ 
mainly white, with sides and ; 
back grayish dusky. Young : \ 
top and sides of head and 
back grayish brown; quills L. 
dusky, tipped with white ; tail iig. 4o. 

^ All the black-headed gulls are flushed with pink in spring. 



^^^Kmm 



26 



GULLS AND TERNS 




Wing of Franklin Gull. 



with subterminal band of dusky ; rest of 
tail, under parts, forehead, and eyelids 
white. Length: 13.50-15.00, wing 11.25, 
bill 1.30, tarsus 1.60. 

Distribution. — Interior of North 
America, breeding- from Iowa north into 
Canada ; migrating south to Peru. 

Nest. — On broken-down rushes in shal- 
low water, made largely of grasses and 
rushes. Eggs : usually 3. 

In the northern plains and prairie country Franklin gulls are of 
the greatest economic importance, the immense flocks living mainly 
on grasshoppers and other destructive insects. At times a v^hite 
horde will descend upon a ploughed field, a band of them following 
at the heels of the ploughman, while long white lines cover the 
mellow furrows. Recognizing the ploughman as a friend, the birds 
only get out of his way to let him pass, waiting for him to turn up 
a fresh supply of food for them. They walk in the furrows or 
hover low over the ground, diving quickly to pick up any squirm- 
ing morsel, either insect or rodent, that has been unearthed by the 
plow. One often sees flocks of fifty to five hundred catching grass- 
hoppers on the wing, wheeling, diving, and rising, till at a distance 
the white flock suggests a wild flurry of snowflakes. When the 
meal is over the birds disband, to scatter out among the sloughs, 
drift on lazy wings over the lakes, or float idly on the surface of the 
water. Vernon Bailey. 

60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord). Bonaparte Gull. 

Adults in summer. — Bill and head black ; mantle delicate pearl gray ; 
three outer quills chiefly white, outer 
web of the first, and terminal portion of 
all, black ; tail and under parts white ; 
feet orange red. Adults in winter : head 
white, tinged with gray behind and with 
a dusky spot on ear coverts ; feet pale 
flesh color. Young : top of head, back, 
and spot on ear coverts dusky ; sides of 
head, neck, and under parts white, in- 
cluding tail coverts and base of tail; 
Length: 12- 




Fig. 45. 



band across end of tail blackish, feathers tipped with white. 
14, wing 10.25, bill 1.20. 

Distribution. — North America, breeding far northward ; south to western 
Mexico. 

Mr. Henshaw states that the Bonaparte gull is not uncommon in 
San Diego Bay in December, though he thinks it winters mainly to 
the southward. 

Mr. Loomis has seen the gulls at Monterey during their migrations 
in November and May. He says that "although white-throated 
birds with the tail -band were in the majority, and pied-headed ones 



GULLS AND TERNS 27 

were plentiful, every flock had adults in nuptial plumage, showing 
that the young are not without experienced leaders on the return 
north." 

GENUS XEMA. 

62. Xema sabinii (Sab.). Sabine Gull. 

Bill gull-like, tail conspicuously forked, the feathers rounded, not nar- 
row and pointed at ends. Adults in summer : head and upper 
';<>. neck dark plumbeous, bordered below by a black collar ; man- 
^ tie slaty gray ; tail and middle of wing white ; outer quills 
Fig. 46. black, with inner webs and tips white; under parts white ; 
bill black, tipped with yellow. Adults in winter : head and 
neck white, with dusky on ear coverts 
and back of head. Young : like winter 
adults, but mantle brownish, feathers 
with bufFy or grayish edges ; tail with 
a subterminal black band, white tip ^^S' '^'^■ 

and base ; bill black. Length : 13-14, wing 10.10-11.15, bill 1.00, tail 
4.50-5.00, fork .60-1.00 deep. 

Distribution. — Arctic regions of North America ; south in winter to 
Peru. Not common in the United States, but recorded from many scat- 
tered localities. 

Eggs. — Laid on the ground, or on a few grass blades and stems ; 2 to 5, 
olive, indistinctly spotted with brown. 

GENUS GELOCHELIDON. 

63. Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.). Gull-billed Tekn. 
Bill stout, depth at base equal to one third of its length ; tail forked. 

Adults in summer : top and back of head black ; upper parts light pearl 
gray ; lower parts white ; bill black ; feet and legs blackish. Adults in 
winter : head and neck white ; ear coverts and spot in front of eye gray. 
Young : similar to winter adults, but upper parts washed with huffy and 
sometimes streaked with dusky. Length: 13.00-15.25, wing 11.75-12.25, 
bill 1.40, tail 5.50, forked for 1.50-1.75. 

Distribution. — Almost cosmcfpolitan. In America from Brazil to Massa- 
chusetts along the Atlantic coast, and both coasts of Mexico and Central 
America ; rare inland. 

GENUS STERNA. 

General Characters. — Bill slender and sharp ; tail deeply forked, the 
outer feathers narrowed or sharp-pointed ; wings very long and slender. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Black feathers of crown elongated into a crest. 

2. Size large, wing 14-15 maxima, p. 28. 

2'. Size smaller, wing 12.40-12.50 ....... elegans, p. 29. 

1'. Head not crested. 

2. Size large, feet black caspia, p. 28. 

2'. Size small, feet red, orange, or yellow. 

3. Crown and forehead black in summer adults, wing over 9. 

4. Outer web of outer tail feather white . . . forsteri, p. 29. 
4'. Outer web of outer tail feather dusky. 

5. Bill orange, with black tip hirundo, p. 29. 

5'. Bill carmine, without black tip ... paradissea, p. 30. 
3'. Forehead always white, wing under 7 . . . antiUarum, p. 30. 



28 GULLS AND TERNS 

Subgenus Thalasseus. 
64. Sterna caspia Pall. Caspian Tern. 

Tail not very deeply forked, the outer feathers pointed, but not much 
narrowed; bill red, feet black. Breeding plumage : crown and back of 
head .black; mantle light gray; wings darker gray, the outer quills tipped 




Fig. 48. 

with black. Winter plumage : black of head streaked with white. Young : 
crown grayish, mixed with black posteriorly ; back and tail feathers with 
dusky spots. Length : 19.00-22.50, wing; 15.00-17.40, bill 2.48-3.10, tail 
5.30-6.75, forked for .75-1.60. 

Distribution. — North America at large, breeding in isolated localities. 

Nest. — In hollow in the sand. Eggs : usually 3. 

But for their long wings, slender forms, and forked tails, the Cas- 
pians, the largest of oui' terns, could easily be mistaken for gulls. 
Their flight is quicker and stronger, however, and their black crowns 
usually conspicuous. They are eminently social in the breeding 
season, nesting in large colonies, and it is no uncommon sight to see 
several hundred of them lined up on a sandy lake beach, with the 
waves rippling in at their feet. After the breeding season they scat- 
ter out and wander widely over the country. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Actochelidon. 
65. Sterna maxima Bodd. Royal Tern. 

Crest of long pointed feathers on back of head ; tail long and forked for 
half its length ; inner webs of quills broadly margined with white ; bill 
orange red, feet black. Breeding plumage : upper parts light pearl gray, 
top and back of head, including crest, black ; under parts white. Post- 
breeding plumage : forehead and fore part of crown white. Winter plum- 
age : white mixed with black on back of liead. Young : crown speckled 
with white and dusky, crest only slightly developed ; upper parts and 
tail feathers with spots of dusky. Length: 18-21, wing 14-15, bill 2.40- 
2.75, tail 6-8, forked for 3-4. 

Distribution. — Coasts and larger lakes of the United States, mainly 
southward. 



^ 



-v:^'- 



.^ 



t; '. lj:. 




FORSTER TERN 



GULLS AND TERNS 29 

Mr. Loomis has found the royal tern decidedly common at times 
during the winter at Monterey, and Mr. Grinnell reports it as very 
numerous around Catalina Island in winter, and more or less com- 
mon along the coast throughout the year. 

66. Sterna elegans Gamh. Elegant Tern. 

Like S. maxima, but smaller, with longer crest, and under parts deeply 
tinged with rose pink. Length : 16-17, wing 12.40-12.50, bill 2.25-2.55, 
tail 6.60-7.30, forked for about 2.60-3.50. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of middle America, and north to San 
Francisco. 

Mr. Loomis has found the elegant terns at Monterey in autumn, 
but in smaller numbers than the royal tern. 

• Subgenus Sterna. 

69. Sterna forsteri Nutt. Forster Tern. 

Outer tail feathers very narrow and long. Adults in summer: under 
parts white ; upper parts light pearl gray, top of head black ; outer web of 
outer tail feather white ; feet orange red, bill dull orange, dusky at tip. 
Adults in winter: top of head white, back of head tinged with gray, a 
dusky stripe around eye and across ear coverts ; bill and feet duller 
colored. Young: upper parts, crown, and sides of head washed with brown- 
ish ; tail feathers dusky toward ends. Length : 14-15, wing 9.50-10.30, 
bill 1.50-1.65, tail 5.00-7.70, forked for 2.30-5.00. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the United States north to Manitoba, south in 
winter to Brazil. 

Nest. — A hollow in the sand lined with grasses, or a rude nest in marsh 
grass or on raft of floating tule stems. Eggs : 1 to 3, bluish green to 
olive buff, marked with lilac and brown. 

Low over the lakes, sloughs, and big tule marshes, you see these 
graceful terns beating the air with long, soft strokes of their narrow 
wings, while the sharp bill points downward, and the eyes are 
intent on the surface of the water. If a minnow shows so much as 
a fin, there is a quick dive, a splash, and a gulp — the minnow has 
disappeared and the tern is beating over the water again, now skim- 
ming close to the surface, now lighting daintily on it to pick up 
some choice morsel. Sometimes a large number of terns are at- 
tracted by a school of minnows, and an animated diving and splash- 
ing ensues. Enter the terns' breeding grounds, or wound one of their 
number, and the airy creatures, all soft silent grace before, storm 
about you with threatening swoops and harsh, piercing screams. 

Vernon Bailey. 

70. Sterna hirundo Linn. Common Tern. 

Outer web of outer tail feather dusky, inner web white. Adults in sum- 
mer : bill and feet bright orang'e red, the bill tipped with black ; top of 
head black ; mantle light pearl gray ; tail and its coverts mainly white ; 
throat white, breast light gray. Adults in winter : crown mainly white ; 
under parts pure white ; bill and feet duller. Young : marked with 



30 GULLS AND TERNS 

blackish around eyes and on back of head ; forehead and under parts 
white ; back lig-ht gray with buffy edgings to feathers and dusky spots on 
wings ; bill and feet brownish or pale reddish. Length : 13-16, wing 9.75- 
11.75, bill 1.25-1.50, tail 5-7, forked for about 3.50. 

Distribution. — Greater part of northern hemisphere ; in America mainly 
east of the plains ; south to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Lower California. 

Nest. — Made of grasses or seaweeds, or eggs laid on the bare rock, or in a 
depression in the sand. Eggs : 2 to 4, pale bluish to greenish drab, with 
lilac shell markings and rather evenly distributed spots of brown. 

The common terns are mainly birds of the Atlantic coast, and 
together with other terns and gulls have been so sought after by 
plume hunters and eggers that a few years ago they were on the road 
to extermination. The Bird Protection Committee of the American 
Ornithologists' Union took up the matter, however, and by the ap- 
pointment of wardens to protect the birds on their breec^ng grounds, 
and by protective laws enacted in the states where the terns occur, 
succeeded in rescuing the birds, which, in addition to their useful 
work as scavengers, give life and beauty to otherwise barren shores. 

71. Sterna paradissea -Briinn. Arctic Tern. 

Outer web of outer tail feather dusky, rest of tail white. Adults in 
summer : bill carmine, feet vermilion, bill without black tip ; top of head 
black, bordered by white superciliary ; body clear deep gray. Adults in 
winter : under parts white, or tinged with grayish ; forehead white, rest of 
crown streaked with black. Young : similar to young of hirundo, but with 
breast and throat washed with dull brownish. Length : 14-17, wing 10.00- 
10.75, bill 1.08-1.40, tail 6.50-8.50, forked for 4-5. 

Distribution. — Mainly eircumpolar regions ; south in winter to Massa- 
chusetts, Colorado, and California, breeding in Massachusetts and Quebec. 

Nest. — A bare spot on the ground, sometimes with a little grass. Eggs : 
1 to 3. . 

Subgenus Sternula. 

74. Sterna antillarum(Ze.ss.). Least Tern. 

Breeding plumage. — Upper parts pearl gray, with black lores and black 

on top and back of head ; two or three outer 

quills mainly dusky ; forehead superciliary, 

and under parts white. Adults in winter : 

crown grayish, whole forehead white. 

^^^' Young : like adults in winter but with 

brownish on back, and with U or V-shaped margins to part of feathers. 

Length : 8.50-9.75, wing 6.60. bill 1.20, tail 3.50, forked for about 1.75. 

Distribution. — United States from California, Dakota, the Great Lakes, 
and Massachusetts south to northern South America. 

Eggs. — 2 to 4, buff to cream white, spotted about the larger end with 
brown and lilac ; laid in a depression in the sand on an island or sand 
beach. 

The least tern is abundant along the coast of southern California 
in summer, arriving, Mr. Grinnell says, about the middle of April 
and leaving usually the latter part of August. He states that it 
nests abundantly in suitable places along the seacoast, generally on 



GULLS AND TERNS 31 

a strip of sandy beach separating the surf from the tide marsh. 
Colonel Goss, speaking of the terns of Kansas, says : ' ' These little 
beauties, the smallest of the family, flit through the air like swal- 
lows, darting here or there for an insect, or suddenly stopping to 
hover, like hawks or kingfishers, over a school of minnows or 
shrimp, ready to drop on the first that comes to the surface." 

GENUS HYDROCHELIDON. 

77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (GmeL). American 
Black Tern. 

Web of feet reaching only to middle of toes. Adults in breeding plum- 
age : head, neck, and breast black; 
wing-s and tail slaty gray ; under tail 
coverts white ; bill and feet black. 
Winter plumage : head, neck, and 
under parts white, orbital ring and ^ '?■ '''^'• 

ear coverts dusky ; upper parts blue gray. In late summer the white and 
black feathers are mixed on the breast. Young : similar to winter adults, 
but with edges of scapulars brown, and crown and back of head dusky. 
Length: 9.00-10.25, wing 8.25, bill 1.10, tail 3.75, forked for .90. 

Distribution. — Temperate part of North America, and south to Brazil 
and Chili. 

Nest. — Usually on dead floating rushes in shallow water, sometimes on 
the bare ground, or on an old muskrat house or a water-soaked log ; made of 
reeds, wild rice, and grasses, and lined with leaves and fine stems. Eggs : 
2 to 4, greenish drab to olive brown, spotted with blackish brown. 

The first sight of Hydrochelidon in the breeding season is an amaz- 
ing one, for as you see the tern-like form approaching across a lake 
your imagination clothes it in white, but when it reaches you — lo ! 
its fore parts are jet black. Another surprise comes, when, associat- 
ing its kin with wide lakes and ocean shores, you find one beating 
over a patch of marsh between the angles of a meadow brook, or 
circling over a pool in a barnyard ! But, in spite of the shocks 
given your preconceived ideas, this swallow-like tern excites your 
keenest interest, and whether on the prairies of Texas or in the valleys 
of the high Sierra, you soon find yourself eagerly watching for the 
strange bird, and every landscape graced by its form goes down to 
memory with a charm all its own. 



32 



ALBATROSSES 



ORDER TUBINARES : TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. 
(Families Diomedeid^ and Procellakiid^.) 
FAMILY DIOMEDEIDiE: ALBATROSSES. 



KEY TO GENERA. 

Sides of lower mandible with deep longitudinal 
groove ; tail long- and graduated. 

Phoebe tria, p. 33. 



Sides of lower mandible without longitudinal 

groove ; tail short and rounded. 
2. A wide strip of bare skin from nasal tube to 
forehead . . . Thalassogeron, p. 33. 
2'. Hard plates of top and sides of bill meeting 
between nasal tubes and forehead. 

Diomedea, p. 32. 

GENUS DIOMEDEA. 

General Characters. — The horny plate on top of bill widened back of 
nostrils and meeting the plate on side of bill ; wings very long ; tail short, 
not reaching tip of folded wings ; size that of a large goose. 




Fig. 51 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



1. Feet, bill, and most of plumage, dusky or blackish 
1'. Feet and bill yellow, plumage mainly white in adult 



nigripes, 
albatrus. 



32. 
32. 



81. Diomedea nigripes Aud. Black-footed Albatross. 

Adults. — Face and chin whitish, top 
of head and rest of upper parts blackish, 
except for whitish tail coverts and base 
of tail ; under parts sooty gray ; bill 
dusky, feet black. Young: face with 
less white, and upper tail coverts dusky. 
Length : 28.50-36.00, wing 18.50-20.50, 
bill 4.00-4.25. 

Distribution. — North Pacific, abun- 
dant from southern California to Alaska. 




Fig. 52. 



Mr. Loomis once saw an albatross at Monterey Bay when there 
was a heavy sea on, but most of the birds keep out to sea, where 
they are known to the fishermen as * goonies.' 

82. Diomedea albatrus Pall. Short-tailed Albatross* 

Adults. — Mainly white, but head and neck washed with yellowish, tail 

and most of wings dusky, primaries with yellow shafts ; bill and feet 

yellowish. Young : plumage sooty brown, darker on head and neck ; 

primary shafts yellowish. Length: 33-37, wing 22-23, bill 5.50-5.60. 
Distribution. — North Pacific from southern California to Alaska, but 

mainly northward. 

The large white albatross, unlike the black-footed, is so shy that 



FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 



33 



instead of following vessels for food it usually gives a wide berth 
to any species of sailing craft. At Monterey, in stormy winter 
weather, Mr. Loomis has seen some of the bij-ds in the bay. The 
largest number he has recorded from the region were seen off Point 
Pinos, a dozen being counted in an hour. 



GENUS THALASSOGERON. 

[83.] Thalassogeron culminatus (Gould). Yellow-nosed Alba- 

TKOSS. 

Horny plate on top of bill not widened back of nostrils ; a strip of soft 
skin between top and side plates ; size of a large goose. Adults : head, 
neck, and shoulders gray, shading into blackish of back, wings, and tail ; 
under parts white ; bill black on sides, bordered above and below with 
yellow. Length: 35-37, wing 17.75-21.00, bill 4.35-4.50, tail 8-9. 

Distribution. — Southern oceans, north casually to coast of Oregon and 
Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

GENUS PHGEBETRIA. 

84. Phoebetria fuliginosa {GmeL). Sooty Albatross. 

Tail long and graduated, reaching well beyond tips of folded wings ; 

size large. Adults : eyelids white, area 
around eyes blackish ; sides of head 
and throat sooty; rest of under parts 
light smoky gray ; back of neck and 
back smoky gray ; wing and tail sooty ; 
bill black, feet yellowish. Young {?): 
upper parts blackish except for slaty 
gray on middle of back ; under parts 
slaty gray. Length : 34-37, wing 20.00- 
21.50, extent 78-84, tail 10.50-13.00. 

Distribution. — South Pacific, north 
(casually) to coast of Oregon. 




FAMILY PROCELLARIIDiE : FULMARS AND 
SHEARWATERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Wing 17 or more, tail feathers 16 . . . Ossifraga, p. 34. 
1'. Wing 15 or less, tail feathers 12-14. 

'^ 2. Wing 7 or less, tail forked . . . Oceanodroma, p. 37. 

Fig. 54. 2'. Wing 9 or more, tail not forked. 

3. Nasal tubes opening separately, with partition as wide as 

opening PufBnus, p. 35. 

3'. Nasal tubes opening together and inclosing a thin par- 
tition between nostrils. 
4. Bill short and stout, about twice as long as depth at 
base Fulmarus, p. 34. 

|:- o 

4.' Bill long and slender, over twice as long as depth at 
Fig. 55. ^^^ Priocella, p. 34. 





34 FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 

GENUS OSSIFRAGA. 

[85.] Ossifraga gigantea {GmeL). Giant Fulmar. 

Nasal tubes occupying- more than half the length of bill ; tail feathers 
16 ; size of a larg-e goose. Light phase : 
sometimes almost entirely white, but gen- 
erally with head, neck, and under parts 
white, and upper parts dusky ; bill light 
yellowish. Dark phase : uniform sooty 
brown, sometimes whitish around base of 
bill ; bill olive yellowish or grayish. 
Fig. 56. Length: 30-36, wing 17-21, bill 3.50-4.00, 

extent of wings 72-84. 

Distribution. — Southern seas, casually north to coast of Oregon. 

GENUS FULMARUS. 
Subgenus Fulmarus. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper parts plain gray or dusky glupischa, p. 34. 

1'. Upper parts gray, marked with white rodgersi, p. 34. 

86b. Fulmarus glaeialis glupischa Stejn. Pacific Fulmar. 

Bill short and stout, wider than deep at base, nasal tubes occupying 
about half the length of bill and opening as one tube ; nasal tubes and 
tip of bill yellow. Light phase : head, neck, and under parts white ; 
upper parts bluish gray, with quills darker. Dark phase : whole plumage 
deep plumbeous. Length: 17-19, wing 11.90-12.35, bill 1.35-1.65. 

Distribution. — North Pacific, south along the American coast to Mexico. 

Nest. — On high cliffs and promontories. Eggs : white. 

Mr. Loomis states that when an ' oil slick ' appeared on the Mon- 
terey Bay at one time, he counted over a hundred Pacific fulmars 
and several Rodgers fulmars scattered in groups apparently feeding 
on a slimy substance floating on the surface of the oil. 

86.1. Fulmarus rodgersi Cass. Rodgers Fulmar. 

Similar to the light phase of glupischa, but bluish gray of upper parts 
broken by mixture of white. No dark phase known. Wing : 12.10-12.90, 
bill 1.40-1.60, depth of bill at base .65-.75. 

Distribution. — North Pacific from Bering Sea south to Monterey Bay. 

Egg. — Soiled white, laid on the bare rock. 

GENUS PRIOCELLA. 

87. Priocella glacialoides (Smith). Slender-billed Fulmar. 
Bill slender, deeper than wide at base ; nasal tubes not reaching middle 
of bill ; nasal tubes and tip of bill black. Adults : 
head, neck, and under parts whitish or light gray ; 
back and wings light pearl gray, the quills darker, 
with inner webs mainly white. Length : 18.00-18.-50, 
wing 13, bill 1.75-2.10, depth of bill at base .65. 

Distribution. — Southern seas, north along Pacific 
coast to Vancouver Island. 




FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 35 

GENUS PUFFINUS. 

General Characters. — Nasal tubes united and resting on base of bill, not 
reaching to middle ; nostrils visible from above ; the partition between 
them as wide or wider than nostril. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Under parts white or grayish. 

2. Bill 2.60 buUeri, p. 36. 

2'. Bill under 1.70. 

3. Larger, wing about 13 creatopus, p. 35. 

3'. Smaller, wing about 9 opisthonielas, p. 35. 

1'. Under parts dark sooty gray. 

2. Larger, wing over 11, bill over 1.55 griseus, p. 36. 

2'. Smaller, wing under 11, bill under 1.28 . . . tenuirostris, p. 37. 

91. Puffinus creatopus Coues. Pink-footed Shearwater. 

Breast and throat white, shading into brownish gray of upper parts and 
under tail coverts ; bill yellowish, feet flesh color. Length : 19, wing 
12.50-13.25, bill 1.60-1.70. 

Distribution. — Eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey, California, south 
to Chili. 

At Monterey Mr. Loomis has found the pink-footed shearwater 
abundant in June, and in November has seen as many as two hun- 
dred in a day. In migrating, he says, their flight is not as direct as 
that of the black-vented and dark-bodied. They circle frequently 
and cross their tracks, much as swallows are wont to do when mi- 
grating singly or in small companies. 

93. Puffinus opisthomelas Coues. Black-vented Shearwater. 

Upper parts sooty gray, lighter on head and neck ; under parts white, 
except for sooty under tail coverts. Length : 12.25-15.00, wing 9.00-9.10, 
tail 3.25-3.80, bill 1.30-1.42. 

Distribution. — Pacific Ocean from coast of Lower California north to 
Vancouver Island. 

A set of opisthomelas eggs was taken at Santa Barbara Island in 
1873, and Mr. Anthony thinks the birds not uncommon on some of 
the smaller outlying islands. Their presence along the coast of 
southern and Lower California, he says, seems to depend on the food 
supply. They are always common, but less so during the breeding 
season, their numbers being greatest in late July, August, and Sep- 
tember, when they follow the large schools of herring and other fish 
that come in shore. They are often seen in flocks of several thou- 
sand when fish are plenty, and Mr. Anthony has met a flock on the 
coast of Lower California which he estimated at not less than fifty 
thousand. 

It is only in very calm weather, he says, that they are seen resting 
on the water, but then they collect in a compact circle and wait 



36 FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 

until started on their j ourney by a rising wind. None of our Pacific 
coast sea birds adhere so closely to established fly lines as the puf- 
fins. Mr. Anthony tells us {Auk, xiii. 223-228) that "even when fly- 
ing fifty miles or more from land the first flock that passes will, with 
almost absolute certainty, mark the line which the next will follow, 
even though they be an hour behind." 

Mr. Anthony calls attention to the habit common to difilerent spe- 
cies of shearwaters of flying in large circles or an advancing series 
of loops when quartering the sea for small fish, — a flock seen along 
shore going in the opposite direction from one farther out to sea. 

95. Puffinus griseus (Gmel.). Dark-bodied Shearwater. 

Entire plumage sooty gray except for white under wing coverts, which 
are mottled with gray at tips ; bill and feet dusky or black. Wing : 
11.15-12.00, bill 1.55-1.70, depth of bill at base .45-.55, tarsus 2.12-2.35. 

Distribution. — South Pacific, north along the coast of California, and 
reported in great numbers from Queen Charlotte Islands, B. C. 

One of the most important results of the valuable work done by 
Mr. Loomis on the water birds off Monterey is the light thrown on 
the northward migration of birds from the south temperate zone. 
The dark-bodied shearwater affords conclusive evidence on the sub- 
ject. The shearwaters taken at Monterey in May were in worn, 
moulting plumage, common with birds just after the breeding season ; 
while their sexual organs showed none of the functional develop- 
ment of birds about to breed. The migratory movements of these 
birds increased from May until September, when there was an 
abrupt decrease in their numbers, only stragglers being seen after- 
wards. Not only were the September and October birds in fresh 
plumage, but those secured had their sexual organs enlarged as in 
birds in the flush of the breeding season. As the shearwaters are 
known to breed from October to March on oceanic islands in the 
south temperate zone, the case seems to be a simple one. 

96.2. Puffinus buUeri Salvin. New Zealand Shearwater. 

Adults : mantle gray, in striking contrast to black on head, tail, and 
lesser wing coverts ; greater coverts gray, tipped with white ; outer pri- 
maries black, with two thirds of inner webs white ; cheeks mottled grayish 
white ; lower parts and under wing coverts white. Length : 16,50, wing 
11.30, tail 5.20, bill 2.60. 

Distribution. — New Zealand. One record from Point Pinos, California. 

Mr. Loomis secured a specimen of Puffinus hulleri about six miles 
west of Point Pinos, on November 6, 1896. As this was the fourth 
of the species known to science, and the others had come from New 
Zealand seas, the record is of great interest, and as pointed out 
suggests that persistent observation along the Pacific coast may add 
largely to the list of pelagic wanderers from the southern seas. 



FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 37 

96. Pufftnus tenuirostris (Temm.). Slender-bili^ed Shearwater. 

Size small ; bill relatively small and slender ; plumag-e sooty or blackish 
except for paler throat and white under wing- coverts ; bill and feet dusky. 
Wing: 10.00-11.10, tail 3.20-3.G0, bill 1.20-1.28, depth at base .35-.50, 
tarsus 1.90-2.00. 

Distribution. — Pacific Ocean, breeding' in the southern hemisphere, but 
migrating north in summer to Kotzebue Sound. 

The slender-billed shearwater was discovered at Monterey by Mr. 
Joseph Malllard, December, 1895. Between the 14th and 20th of the 
month he saw great numbers of the birds, and secured twenty speci- 
mens. Mr. Loomis infers that they were belated migrants on their 
way back to their breeding grounds in the southern hemisphere. 

GENUS OCEANODROMA. 

General Characters. — Bill small and weak, with nasal tubes elevated at 
tip ; tail slig'htly forked ; size small ; slender and tern-like ; bill and feet 
black. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper or lower tail coverts white. 

2. Lower tail coverts white, upper gray furcata, p. 37. 

2'. Upper, and sides of lower tail coverts, white . . kaedingi, p. 37. 
1'. Upper and lower tail coverts dusky. 

2. Under wing coverts with a light-colored patch . homochroa, p. 38. 
2'. Under wing coverts without light patch. 

3. Side of rump with gray or whitish patch . socorroeiisis, p. 38. 
3'. Side of rump without gray or whitish patch . . melania, p. 38. 

105. Oceanodroma furcata (GmeL). Forked-tailed Petrel. 

Body light bluish gray, fading to white on chin, throat, and under tail 
coverts; bend of wing, quills, and space around eye, dusky. Length: 
8.00-9.20, wing 5,90-6.40, bill .60, tail 3.7.5-4.00, forked for about 1. 

Distribution. — From the Arctic circle south on the American side to 
Monterey. 

Nest. — A hole in a bank, lined scantily with dry grass and fine roots. 
Egg : 1, white, with fine spots of lilac and dark color about the larger end. 

105.2. Oceanodroma kaedingi Anthony. Kaeding Petrel. 

Plumage mainly sooty black ; wing cov- 
erts brownish ; upper tail coverts and side 
of under coverts, white. Wing : 5.75, tail 
3.25, forked for .00, tarsus .80, bill . 55 (from 
type). ' -^-ss- 

Distribution. — Pacific coast and islands from Socorro Island and south- 
ern California north to Cape Flattery. 

Nest.— Under a pile of stones, or a burrow in a turfy bank, lined with 
grass, bits of bark, and wood. Egg: 1, sometimes plain white. 

The slightly larger and lighter colored 0. leucorJioa of the Atlantic 
and north Pacific apparently does not occur on the west coast of the 
United States. A series of May and June specimens from near Cape 
Flattery are unquestionably kaedingi. 



38 FULMARS AND SHEARWATERS 

107. Oceanodroma melania (Bonap.). Black Petrel. 

Upper parts sooty black with grayish brown on wing coverts ; under 
parts brownish black, without white or light colored patches. Wing : 6.80, 
tail 3.90, forked for about 1.20, tarsus 1.20. 

Distribution. — From the Pacific coast of Mexico north to southern 
California. 

Mr. Grinnell thinks the black petrels are probably more or less 
common residents off the southern California coast. Mr. Nelson 
found them the most abundant of the petrels of the Tres Marias 
Islands, Mexico. He saw little that was remarkable about their 
habits, but says they circled about the vessel in all directions and 
were quick to see fragments of food that were thrown overboard. 

108. Oceanodroma homoehroa (Coues). Ashy Petrel. 

Plumage mainly smoky gray or plumbeous ; quills and tail dusky ; upper 
wing coverts brownish, under coverts with light patch. Wing : 5.30-5.40, 
tail 3.30-3.50, forked for .70-.90, tarsus, .80-.90. 

Distribution. — Coast of California. 

Egg. — Dull creamy white, finely dotted with red around the larger 
end ; placed in a natural cavity. 

Mr. Loomis, writing of his visit to South Farallone Island in July, 
1896, gives some interesting notes on the habits of the ashy petrel. 
"Although these petrels were breeding abundantly in all parts of 
the island," he says, "every portion of it might have been passed 
over in daylight without a single individual being discovered, for 
apparently only brooding birds occiuTcd, concealed in loose piles 
of stone, in stone walls, and under driftwood. After nightfall the 
petrels became active. They were especially conspicuous during 
the early morning hours of the 14th, when the auklets held their 
concert. As I stood in the dooryard of a keeper's house, every few 
moments one or more would pass silently by, disappearing in the 
darkness. Their flight recalled that of a goatsucker. 

"The strong musky odor of the petrels renders their discovery 
in the rock piles easy. It is only necessary to insert the nose into 
likely crevices to find them. With little practice one may become 
very expert in this kind of hunting, readily determining whether it 
is an auklet or a petrel that has its residence in any particular 
cranny. ... It seemed strange to find these birds of the ocean rear- 
ing their young near the dwellings and within several rods of the 
siren. None of the feathered inhabitants of the island appeared to 
be alarmed at the blast of this signal, repeated every forty-five 
seconds when the fog settled down." 

108.1. Oceanodroma soeorroensis Townsend. Socorro Petrel. 

Similar to homoehroa but slightly larger and darker colored ; under wing 



DARTERS — CORMORANTS 39 

coverts without lig-ht-colored patch, but rump with gray or whitish patch 
on side. Wing : 5.80-6.38, tail 3.07-3.42, forked for .71-.92, bill .58-.65. 

Distribution. — From islands of western coast of Mexico north to San 
Diego, California. 



ORDER STEGANOPODES : TOTIPALMATE 
SWIMMERS. 

(Families Anhingid^, PHALACRocoRAciDiE, Pelecanid^, 
Fregatid^, etc.) 

FAMILY ANHINGIDiE: DARTERS. 

GENUS ANHINGA. 
118. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.). Anhinga. Watek Turkey. 

Bill straight and sharp ; form extremely slender, tail long and rigid, 
without upper coverts. Adult male in breeding plumage : glossy greenish 
black ; back of head and sides of neck with long white or grayish filaments, 
and back of neck with black hair-like mane ; shoulders and base of wings 
finely spotted with gray, wing crossed with wide gray band ; back striped 
with pearl gray ; t^il tipped with brownish. Adult male in winter : head and 
neck without elongated filaments. Adult female in breeding plumage : 
similar to male but head and neck brown, throat and breast huffy. Young : 
lower back, tail, and quills black ; head and rest of body brown except for 
huffy or whitish throat and breast, and gray streaking on wing coverts. 
Length : 32.25-36.00, wing about 14, tail 11, bill 3.25. 

Distribution. — From tropical America north in Lower Sonoran zone to 
South Carolina, southern Illinois, Texas, western Mexico, and casually to 



PAMILy PHALACROCORACIDiE : CORMORANTS. 

GENUS PHAIiACROCORAX. 

General Characters. — Bill slender and abruptly hooked at tip ; mouth 
opening back under eye ; skin around eye and at base of lower mandible 
naked ; head smooth or variously crested. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Gular sac convex or truncate at posterior edge. 

2. Gular sac bordered with narrow line of white feathers. Size small. 

mexicanus, p. 41. 
2'. Gular sac not bordered with white. 

3. Crest over each eye black dilophus, p. 40. 

3'. Crest over each eye partly white. 

4. Size large, wing over 13. N. W coast . . cincinatus, p. 40. 
4'. Size smaller, wing under 13. California coast. 

albociliatus, p. 40. 
1'. Gular sac heart-shaped at posterior edge. 

2. Flanks without white, head not crested . . penicillatus, p. 41. 



40 CORMORANTS 

2'. Flanks with a large white patch in breeding plumage. Top and back 
of head crested in breeding- plumage. 
3. Size larger, wing 10.00-11.40. From Washington northward. 

pelagicus, p. 41. 
3'. Size smaller, wing 9.30-10.50. From Cape Flattery southward. 

resplendens, p. 42. 

Subgenus Phalacrocorax. 
120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.). Double-crested Cor- 
morant. 

Adults in breeding plumage. — Throat pouch orange ; a narrow crest of 
curved black feathers above and back of each eye ; back and wings slaty, 
feathers bordered with black ; rest of plumage glossy greenish black. 
Post-breeding plumage : head without crests. Young : plumage brownish, 
becoming grayish brown on head and neck ; throat and breast lighter, 
sometimes white before the first moult. Length : 29-34, wing 12-13, bill 
2.00-2.45. 

Distribution. — Breeds from northeastern North America west to the 
Dakotas and north to Athabasca ; migrates to Gulf coast ; west to Colo- 
rado and Utah. 

Nest. — In trees or on rocks, made of sticks, and usually coated with 
lime-like excrement. Eggs : 3 or 4, dull bluish green. 

The double-crested cormorants are common along the Atlantic 
coast and the lakes and rivers of the Mississippi valley, breeding in 
communities on cliffs and rocky islands along the coast, and mainly 
in trees in the interior. 

Like all cormorants, they are expert fishers. With their dense 
glossy plumage, long, almost fish-like form, powerful leg muscles, 
and wide paddles, double- jointed mouths, elastic throats, and the 
hooked tip of their bills, they are built for pursuing, catching, and 
swallowing fish. Much of their time is spent in the water pursuing 
their prey, or perched on rocks or posts near their fishing grounds. 

Vernon Bailey. 

120b. P. d. cincinatus (Brandt). White-crested Cormorant. 

Like P. dilophus, but with crests mainly white. Length : 36, wing 13.70, 
bill 2.25-2.55. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast of North America, breeding on the 
coast of Alaska ; south in winter to California. 

Nest. — On islands, a mass of sticks and weeds six inches to a foot iu 
height. Eggs : 4 or 5. 

120c. P. d. albociliatus Ridgw. Farallone Cormorant. 

Similar to cincinatus, but slightly smaller. Length: 25-31, wing 11.75- 
13.00, bill 1.90-2.35. 

Distribution. — Coast and inland lakes of southern Oregon and Califor- 
nia, and south to western Mexico and the Socorro Islands. 

Nest. — A firm structure of sticks, lined with moss and various water 
plants ; placed in trees and on rocks. Eggs : 3 to 5, dull bluish green. 

The Farallone cormorant is a common resident of the California 



CORMORANTS 41 

coast, and breeds abundantly on the Farallones and other islands; also 
in the interior, nesting in extensive colonies in trees near some of 
the large lakes. Mr. Chamberlain reports a colony at Clear Lake, 
California, and those at Tule Lake, Oregon, are undoubtedly of this 
species. 

On their breeding grounds, nests, rocks, trees, and ground are 
painted white with their excrement, and some of the trees are 
usually killed by it. Bones and pieces of fish are scattered about, 
adding to the general attractiveness of the place. 

121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt). Mexican Cormo- 

rant. 

Adults. — Head and foreparts of body mainly dark brownish, lighter on 
throat, and g-ray or whitish adjoining brown throat ijouch ; shoulders 
and wing coverts slaty ; feathers bordered with black ; posterior parts of 
body, tail, and wing quills blackish. Breeding j^iuniage : head, neck, and 
belly with slender white filaments. Young : brownish, becoming grayish 
brown on throat and under parts, whitish next to pouch. Before first 
moult : throat and breast whitish. Length : 23.00-28.75, wing 9.95-10.40, 
bill 1.70-2.00. 

Distribution. — Mexico, Cuba, and the Gulf coast ; north to New Mexico, 
Kansas, and Illinois. 

Nest. — Rudely made of sticks and leaves, placed on bushes or trees near 
or over water. JEggs : bluish white, with a slight chalky deposit. 

Subgenus Compsohalieus. 

122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus (Brandt). Brandt Cormo- 

rant. 

Bill slender, nearly straight ; tail short, with narrow, rigid feathers ; 
head without crests or elongated tufts. Adults : head and neck glossy 
blue black, except for light brownish patch next to gular sac ; under 
parts glossy greenish black ; scapulars and wing coverts dull greenish 
black. Breeding plumage : sides of neck and shoulders with long white or 
yellowish filaments ; throat pouch blue. Young : plumage brown, throat 
and under parts paler ; upper parts darker, becoming blackish on back of 
neck. Length: 35, wing 10.50-11.75, bill 2.60-2.95, tail 5.50-6.50. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from Cape St. Lucas to Vancouver Island. 

The Brandt cormorant is abundant along the Pacific coast, breed- 
ing in large colonies on rocky islands. Grinnell says it is the cormo- 
rant observed about San Pedro, hundreds sometimes being seen 
roosting on the breakwater. On the Farallones Bryant says they 
congregate in large rookeries. The young are hatched entirely 
naked, their skin resembling a greasy black kid glove. In this con- 
dition, and even after the down is on them, they are an irresistible 
morsel to the hungry gulls. 

Subgenus Urile. 

123. Phalacrocorax pelagicus Pall. Pelagic Cormorant. 
Breeding plumage. — Throat pouch dull coral red ; crown and back of 



42 PELICANS 

head with purplish green crests ; neck with loose white filaments ; flank 
with large circular white patch ; head and body dark glossy green, 
changing to rich purple on neck and purplish green on wings ; quills and 
tail black. Post-breeding plumage : crests, white filaments, and white, 
flank patch wanting. Young : dusky brown, lighter on head ; upper parts 
darker, with a tinge of green. Wing: 10.00-11.40, tail 6.25-8.50, bill 
1.70-2.10. 

Distribution. — Coast of Alaska and British Columbia to Washington. 

Nest. — Usually on a ledge of bold-faced rock, large, made of seaweed, a 
few grass-stalks, and excrement. Eggs : 3 to 4, pale blue to white. 

The Eskimo use this cormorant's skin for clothing, and the white 
filaments from the flanks for fringes in their ornamental work. 

123b. P. p. resplendens (Aud.). Baird Cormorant. 

Coloration as in pelagicus, size smaller, bill nearly as long, but slenderer. 
Wing: 9.30-10.50, tail 5.80-7.00, bill 1.65-2.00. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from Cape Flattery to Mazatlan, Mexico. 

The Baird cormorant is usually less common than the Farallone 
or Brandt cormorants, breeding apart from them in communities on 
the islands or rocky points off shore. 

FAMILY PELECANIDiE : PELICANS. 

GENUS PELECANUS. 

General Characters. — Bill much longer than head, upper mandible flat ; 
a large pouch of elastic, naked skin hung as a fish-net from flexible sides 
of lower mandible. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Color mainly white erythrorhynchos, p. 42. 

1'. Color mainly grayish brown . californicus, p. 43. 

Subgenus Cyrtopelicanus. 

125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel. American White 

Pelican. 

Tail feathers 24. Breeding plumage : mainly white, primaries and most 

of secondaries black ; back of head with thin white or yellowish crest, breast 

and lesser wing coverts with narrow lanceolate yellowish feathers ; upper 





PELAGIC CORMORANT 



MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. 43 

mandible with upright horn. Post-breeding plumage : crest replaced by 
short grayish feathers, upper mandible without horny excrescence. Adults 
in winter plumage : back of head white ; bill pouch and feet pale yellow 
instead of orange. Young : white, with 'gray on top of head and lesser 
wing coverts. Length : 4^ to nearly 6 feet ; extent 8^ to nearly 10 feet ; 
wing 20.00-25.25, bill 11.05-15.00 ; weight about 17 lbs. 

Distribution. — North America from latitude 61° to Guatemala. 

Nest. — Usually on islands, sometimes a depression in gravel or sand, 
lined with seaweeds ; but generally a thin layer of sticks and weeds, laid 
on the ground or on rocks. Eggs : 1 to 3, dull white, like those of the 
Canada goose, but with rougher shell. 

The white pelican is more a bird of the interior than of the coast 
districts, and still breeds in great colonies on a few of the larger 
lakes. Some of the little islands which used to be covered with 
nests are abandoned now, the splendid birds having been driven 
away by wanton persecution. 

The pelicans are eminently social at all seasons, sometimes gather- 
ing in flocks of many hundreds along the shore, where, by beating 
the water with their wings, they drive the fish into the shallows, to 
scoop them up with their wide pouches. At other times they may 
be seen circling, wheeling, and soaring overhead, in magnificent aerial 
drill, or riding buoyantly on the surface of the water like a squadron 
of white ships. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Leptopelicanus. 

127. Pelecanus californicus Ridgw. California Brown Peli- 

can.^ 

Tail feathers 22. Breeding plumage : pouch reddish ; head, and feathers 
next to pouch, white ; crown tinged with yellow ; neck, including mane- 
like crest, rich velvety brown ; upper parts silvery gray, streaked with 
brownish ; under parts brownish, streaked on sides with white. Winter 
plumage : head and neck white, tinged with yellowish on throat and crown. 
Young : upper parts grayish brown, darker on back ; under parts white, 
tinged on sides with brownish. Length : 4^ feet or more, wing 20.50-23.25, 
bill 12.25-14.75. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from southern British Columbia to Gala- 
pagos Islands. 

FAMILY PREGATIDiE: MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. 

GENUS FREGATA. 

128. Fregata aquila Linn. Man-o'-War Bird. 

Wings very long ; tail deeply forked ; feet small, half webbed. Adult 
male : plumage black, base of wings glossed 
with greenish or purplish. Adult female : 
plumage dull black; wings with grayish 
patch ; sides and breast white. Young : 
head, neck, and under parts white ; upper 
parts dull brownish black. Length : 37.50- 
41.00, wing 22.00-27.10, tail 14.25-19.25, 
^ig-60. forked for about 9 ; bill 4.25-5.15. 

1 a specimen of P. occidentalis was taken in Wyoming, July, 1899. (The Auk, xvi. 351.) 




44 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



Distribution. — Tropical and subtropical seas, chiefly north of the equa- 
tor ; nortli reg-ularly to Florida, Texas, and California, and casually to 
Wisconsin and Nova Scotia. 

Nest. — Made of sticks, placed in the tops of bushes or low trees. 



ORDER ANSERES : LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY ANATIDiE : DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw. 



Fig. Gl. 




2. Neck as long- as or longer than body . . Olor, p. 70. 
2'. Neck shorter than body. 
-''O 3. Lower mandible without trace of lamellae along sides, 

edges of mandibles strongly toothed or serrate. 
4. Tooth-like serrations of mandibles sharp and 
strongly inclined backward 

Merganser, p. 45, 
4'. Tooth-like serrations of mandibles blunt and not 
distinctly inclined backward 

Lophodytes, p. 47. 
3'. Lower mandible with a distinct series of lamellae along 
side as well as cutting edge. 
4. Lower part of tai'sus with small hexagonal plates 
and no transverse scutellaj in front. 

Dendrocygna, p. 69. 
4'. Lower part of tarsus with a row of transverse scu- 
tellai across the front. 
5. Tail without upper coverts, the base of the stiff 
feathers scarcely concealed. 
6. Tail feathers 18 . . . Erismatura, p. 64. 
6. Tail feathers 20 . . , Nomonyx, p. 65. 
5'. Tail with base well concealed by upper coverts. 
6. Hind toe without a flattened membraneous 
lobe. 
7. Bill long and much wider near end than 
toward base .... Spatula, p. 54. 
7'. Bill not much wider near end than at base. 
8. Tail feathers wide and rounded at end. 

Aix, p. 55. 

8'. Tail feathers narrow and pointed at tips. 

9. Tail graduated more than a third of its 

total length. 

10. Tail feathers 14 . Mareca, p. 49. 

10'. Tail feathers 16. 

11. Bill longer than middle toe with- 
out claw . . . Dafila, p. 54. 
11'. Bill shorter than middle toe with- 
out claw 

Chaulelasmus, p. 49. 
9'. Tail graduated less than a third of its 
total length. 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 45 

10. Wing more than 8 . . Anas, p. 47. 
10'. Wing less than 8. 

11. Uijper and lower outlines of upper 
mandible beyond nostril convex. 
Querquedula, p. 52. 
11'. Upper and lower outlines of upper 
mandible beyond nostrils straight. 
Nettion, p. 51. 
6'. Hind toe with a flattened membraneous lobe. 
7. Graduation of tail less than length of bill 
from nostril .... Aythya, p. 56. 
7'. Graduation of tail much more than length 
of bill from nostril. 
8. Anterior edge of nostril in front of middle 
of culmen .... Clangula, p. 59. 
8'. Anterior edge of nostril back of middle of 
culmen. 
9. Upper mandible widest back of nostril, 
and not conspicuously elevated nor 
swollen at base. 
10. Feathers ending in straight line across 
forehead . . . Harelda, p. 61. 
10'. Feathers ending in point of acute tri- 
angle on forehead. 
11. Upper mandible constricted to small 
nail-like tip. 

Charitonetta, p. 60. 
11'. Upper mandible rounded at tip. 

Histrioiiicus, p. 61. 

9'. Upper mandible widest at anterior edge 

of nostril, and elevated or swollen at 

base (except in female and immature 

O. americana) . . Oidemia, p. 62. 

1'. Tarsus as long as or longer than middle toe without claw. 

2. Bill and feet always black .... Branta, p. 67. 

2'. Bill and feet never entirely black, usually reddish or 

yellowish. 

3. Bill as wide as deep at base . . Philacte, p. 69. 

3'. Bill much deeper than wide at base. 

4. Depth of bill at base more than half the length 

of culmen ; adults mainly white . Chen, p. 65. 

4'. Depth of bill at base less than half the length of 

culmen ; adults never white . Anser, p. 66. 

GENUS MERGANSER. 

General Characters. — Bill slender and approximately cylindrical in front 
of nostrils, armed along edges of mandibles with sharp, strongly recurved 
teeth ; head crested in both sexes. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Nostril near middle of bill, about .50 from feathers. 

americanus, p. 46. 
1'. Nostril near base of bill, about .25 from feathers serrator, p. 46. 



46 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

129. Merganser americanus (Cass.). American Merganser: 

Sheldrake. 

Adult male. — Head and short crest black glossed with green ; shoulders 
black ; wing black, with white in middle ; rump and tail gray ; neck and 
sides white ; breast creamy white or pale salmon. Adult female : head, 
neck, and long thin crest light brown ; rest of upper parts bluish gray, 
except white patch on middle of wing ; chin and breast white. Male : 
length 25-27, wing 10.50-11.25, biU 1.90-2.20. Female: length 21-24, 
wing 9.60-9.75, bill 1.80-2.00. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America, breeding from Peimsylvania 
and mountains of Colorado and California, northward. 

Nest. — In hollow tree or on ground, lined with down. Eggs : 8 to 10, 
pale huffy. 

The sheldrakes, while common and widely distributed, are never 
abundant. Tliey are usually found in pairs or small flocks along the 
rivers or in open lakes where there are plenty of small fish. In sum- 
mer the few that remain in the United States to breed keep princi- 
pally in the high mountains, along the streams or lakes of the Boreal 
zone. Even the half fledged young delight in the cold water and 
foaming rapids of a mountain trout stream. Vernon Bailey. 

130. Merganser serrator (Lfwn.). Red-breasted Merganser. 

Adult male. — Head and crest black, glossed with green ; neck white ; 
back black ; middle of wings white ; rump gray ; chest huffy brown, 
streaked with blackish ; belly white or creamy ; sides gray. Adult female : 



J 



Fig. (i3. 



head and neck brown, darker and duller on crown and crest ; rest of upper 
parts and tail slaty gray, except for white patch on wings ; under parts 
white. Length : 20-25, wing 8.60-9.00, bill about 2.50. 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



47 



Bemarks. — The female is distinguished from the female americanus by 
smaller size, slenderer bill, and position of nostril. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in Amer- 
ica from Illinois and Minnesota north to Alaska and Greenland ; south in 
winter over the United States. 

Nest. — On ground near water, hidden in grass and weeds, made of leaves, 
and moss, lined with down. Eggs : 8 to 10, olive buff. 



The red-breasted merganser is a common duck of the clear streams 
and lakes, a good diver and fisher, but rarely fat and often flavored 
by its favorite food. 

GENUS LOPHODYTES. 
131. Lophodytes cueuUatus (Linn.). Hooded Merganser. 

Bill narrow, slender, and with terminal part cylindrical, armed along 
edges of mandibles with 
blunt, scarcely inclined 
teeth ; head with high 
thin, wheel-shaped crest, 
less prominent in female. 

Adult male. — Head, 
neck, and back black ; 
middle of crest and under 
parts, white ; sides light 
brown, finely cross-lined 
with black. Adult female : 
upper parts grayish brown, 
browner on crest ; patch 
on wing, throat, and belly 
white. Young : similar to 
female, but with little or 
no crest. Length : 17.25- 
19.25, wing 7.50-7.90, bill 
1.50. 

Distribution. — North 
America from Alaska to 
Cuba and Mexico, breed- 
ing throughout most of its 
range. ^.^^_ ^^_ 

Nest. — In hollow trees, 
lined with grass, feathers, and down. Eggs: 6 to 10, ivory white. 

The hooded merganser or saw-bill is widely distributed and often 
abundant during migration, frequently gathering in large flocks in 
the rice lakes. It becomes very fat and its flesh rarely has any flavor 
of fish. In fall it is one of the last ducks to leave, lingering on the 
half frozen lakes and streams of the northern states. A little flock 
may now and then be found in open rapids, when all the still water 
is covered with ice. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS ANAS. 

General Characters. — Bill flat, long, and slightly wider near end than 
toward base ; wing with purple or green iridescent speculum occupying a 




48 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

large space on secondaries ; head uncrested except for the slightly elon- 
gated green feathers of male mallards in winter phimage. 

KEY TO SPECIES OF ANAS. 

1. Head and neck iridescent green (winter male) . . . boschas, p. 48. 
1'. Head and neck finely striped and specked with dusky. 

2. Belly mottled gray and dusky (summer male, female, and young). 

boschas, p. 48. 

2'o Belly mottled brown and dusky maculosa, p. 49. 

132. Anas boschas Linn. Mallard. 

Male in winter and breeding plumage. — Four of the black upper tail coverts 
recurved ; head and 
neck, down to white 
collar, rich iridescent 
green ; chest dark, 
chestnut brown ; belly 
and sides gray ; wing 
with iridescent violet 
green speculum bor- 
dered by black and white bars ; rump 
and upper and lower tail coverts black. 
Male in sumvier plumage : like female. 
Female and immature: entire plum- 
age variously mottled, scalloped, and 
streaked with dusky and buff, ex- 
cept for plain buffy chin and white 
under surface of wing ; buff predomi- 
nating on belly; wing as in male. 
Length: 20-25, wing 10.25-12.00, bill 
2.00-2.40. ^ __ 

Distribution. — Northern hemi- Pig. 65. 

sphere ; in America breeding from 
southern United States to Alaska ; south in winter to Panama. 

Nest. — On the ground, in grass or weeds, well lined with down. Eggs 
6 to 10, pale olive or buffy green. 

The mallard is the best known of all the American ducks, breed- 
ing at large over the country and migrating north and south in great 
flocks, feeding extensively on wild rice and various grains and seeds, 
and becoming extremely fat. Its large size and delicious flavor ren- 
der it an important and much sought game bird, but at the same 
time threaten it with partial extermination. Nature has done her 
best for it in its summer dress, for nothing could be more protec- 
tively inconspicuous. The female keeps the mottled disguise all 
winter. In fall, however, both old and young males acquire the 
rich breeding plumage which they keep until after the eggs are laid 
in spring. The male then doffs his bright dress and in his dull dis- 
guise can be distinguished from the female only by his soft voice, 
a mere whispered imitation of her loud quack, quack. When both 
old birds are away from the nest, the eggs are left carefully covered 
with down, Vernon Bailey. 




DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 49 

134a. Anas fulvigula maculosa (Senn.). Mottled Duck. 

Sexes similar, resembling- a dark-colored female mallard. Head and 
neck biiffy, finely streaked with dusky ; under parts mottled about equally 
with dusky and light brown ; feathers of breast and back with brown cen- 
ters and marg-ins ; speculum of wing- g-reenish purple framed in black, the 
feathers tipped with white. Wing : 10.05, bill 2.25, 

Distribution. — From Central Mexico north to Kansas and Colorado. 

Eggs. — Pale bufEy. 

The habits of the mottled duck are similar to those of the mal- 
lard. 

GENUS CHAULEIiASMUS. 

135. Chaulelasmus streperus {Linn.). Gad wall. 

Tail feathers 16. Adult male : top of head with wide low crest ; head 
and body gray, crossed Avith wavy lines of black and white ; rump and 
upper and lower tail coverts black ; wing marked with black, white, and 
bright brown ; belly white. Post-breeding plumage : duller and more spotted 
below. Adult female: head without crest ; head and neck finely specked 
with dusky on a buffy or whitish ground ; chin and belly white ; rest of 
body with feathers dusky, bordered with bufi^. Male : length 19.25-21.75, 
wing 10.25-11.00, biU 1.60-1.75. Female: length 18, wing 10.00-10.25, 
bill 1.5.5-1.65. 

RemarTcs. — The female resembles the female mallard, but may be distin- 
guished by white chin and belly, gray under surface of wing, and white 
instead of green speculum. 

Distribution. — Northern hemisphere, including the whole of North 
America. 

Nest. — Like that of the mallard. Eggs : 8 to 12, pale buffy or creamy 
white. 

In habits the gad wall is much like the mallard, being a bird of the 
ponds and marshes and breeding more or less commonly over much 
of North America, especially on the plains and prairies. 

GENUS MABECA. 

General Characters. — Tail feathers 14 ; male with short crest, adult male 
with white crown ; bill small, widest near base. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Sides of head and neck rich russet brown (specked with dusky in im- 

mature) (male) penelope, p. 49. 

1 .Sides of head and neck thickly specked with dusky on light buff or 
whitish ground. 
2. Crest and sides of crown metallic green . (male) americana, p. 50. 
2'. Whole head and neck streaked and specked. 
3. Head and neck streaked on whitish ground. 

, (female) americana, p. 50. 

3 . Head and neck streaked on buff ground. 

(female) penelope, p. 49. 

136. Mareca penelope {Linn.). Widgeon. 

Adult male. — Bill blue with black tip ; crown white or creamy ; rest of 
head and neck rich russet brown, more or less specked with black ; chest 



50 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



light vinaceous brown ; back, rump, and sides gray crossed by fine wavy 
black and white lines ; wing with green speculum framed in black, and 
bordered above by large white patch ; under, and sides of upper, tail 
coverts, black. Adult female : head and neck thickly specked all over 
with dusky on buff : breast, sides, and back mottled with dusky and buff ; 
speculum grayish, bordered above and below by narrow white tips to 
feathers. Young male : head and neck brown, thickly specked with black ; 
breast and sides dull brown, back mottled duskv and brown. Length: 18- 
20, wing 10-11, bill 1.35-1.45. 

Distribution. — Northern part of Old World, occurring rarely in eastern 
United States. Nebraska. California, and Alaska. 



1 




/!/? '^J:iii 



• Fig. 66. 



137. Mareca americana (GmeL). Baldpate. 

Adult male. — Bill blue with black tip : crown white, bordered on sides 

and back with wide 
patch of metallic 
green ; rest of head 
and neck finely 
specked with dusky 
over buffy ; chest 
and sides grayish 
lavender or vina- 
ceous, often barred 
and specked with 
dusky ; belly white ; 
back dark gray 
crossed with wravy 
lines of black, white, 
and lavender ; spec- 
ulum green, framed 
in velvety black ; 
bordered above by large white patch ; lower, and sides of upper, tail 
coverts, black. Adult female : head and neck finely specked with dusky 
on whitish ground, the dusky predominating on top of head ; chest, sides, 
and back dull brown, mottled with blackish ; belly white ; wing with dull 
black speculum bordered above and below by white^ Length: 18-22, wing 
10.25-11.00, bill 1.30-1.50. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America," breeding from Texas to North 
Dakota, and northward. 

Nest. — On the ground, in a bunch of grass, under a bush, or in a depres- 
sion lined with grass, leaves, and down. Eggs : 10 or 11, creamy or buffy 
white. 

Like most of the shoal water ducks, Colonel Goss tells us, the 
baldpates are to be looked for along the edges of lagoons, grassy- 
lakes, and pools of water. The birds are not shy, he says, and " their 
note, a sort of loheiD, wheio, icheio, uttered while feeding and swim- 
ming, enables the hunter to locate them in the thickest growth of 
water plants ; and when in the air the whistling noise made by their 
wings heralds their approach." Ordinarily their food habits are the 
same as those of the gadwall, but in the fall they often attach them- 
selves to a party of canvas-backs or other deep water ducks, that 
feed on Vallisneria, and following them about lie in wait while the 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 51 

divers are below, and as their heads appear above the surface snatch 
their catch and hurry away to swallow it at leisure. 

GENUS NETTION. 

General Characters. — Tail feathers 16 ; sides of bill parallel throughout ; 
upper and lower outlines in front of nostril straight ; wing with speculum 
bright green ; head of male in winter and breeding plumage with short 
crest. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Sides and shoulders finely hned with black and white, and shoulders 
crossed by white bar carolinensis, p. 51. 

1'. Sides and shoulders coarsely lined with black and white ; shoulders 
without white bar crecca, p. 51. 

[138.] Nettion crecca {Linn.). . European Teal. 

Adult male. — Similar to carolinensis but shoulder without white bar, and 
black lines and spots on body heavier and coarser. Adult female: indis- 
tinguishable from female carolinensis. 

Distribution. — Northern part of Old World, occasional in northern part 
of North America and in California. 

139. Nettion carolinensis (Gmel). Green-winged Teal. 

Adult male. — Head light chestnut, forehead and chin blackish ; a wide 
crescent of green and black inclosing eye and reaching to i>'^''- -f "rest ; breast 
buffy, spotted with black ; back 
gray, shoulders crossed by white 
bar ; shoulders and sides finely 
cross-lined with black and white ; 
wing with green and black specu- 
lum, bordered above by buff and 
below by white ; under tail coverts 
black, bordered by rich buff. Adult 
female : back, sides, and breast 
dusky, scalloped and mottled with 
buff ; throat and belly whitish ; 
base of wing slaty ; wing with 

speculum as in male. Young male : ^^' ^'' 

belly white. Length : 12.50-15.00, wing 6.25-7.40, bill 1.40-1.60. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America, breeding in Colorado, Oregon, 
and California, but mainly north of the United States ; in winter south to. 
Honduras and Cuba. 

Nest. — In a tuft of grass, or on dry ground among willows, made of 
grass and lined with down. Eggs: usually 9 to 12, sometimes 16 to 18, 
pale buff. 

The green-winged teal, like most of its near relatives, is far more 
a duck of the marshes, grass-fringed ponds, meadow creeks, and 
irrigation ditches than of the clear lakes and streams. Like the 
mallard, and often in its company, the teal are fond of feeding in 
shallow water where, by standing on their heads, — with tails and 
sometimes feet sticking up out of the water, — they can reach the 
bottom to grub up the tender roots and water plants, and sift out 




52 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

the sunken seeds. They become excessively fat, and although the 
smallest, are one of the most delicious of our ducks. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS QUERQUEDULA. 

General Characters. — Tail feathers 14, bill of nearly uniform width ; 
upper and lower outlines swollen toward end ; wing with large patch of 
light blue, speculum green in males. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Lower parts clear bright cinnamon ..... cyanoptera, p. 52. 
1'. Lower parts thickly spotted with dusky on vinaceous . discors, p. 52. 

KEY TO FEMALES. 

1. Under parts mottled dusky and dark buff . . . cyanoptera, p. 52. 
1'. Under parts mottled dusky and gray discors, p. 52. 

140. Querquedula discors (Linn.). Blue-winged Teal. 

Adult male. — Sides of head slaty gray, with purple gloss ; white crescent 
in front of eye bordered by black ; under 
parts vinaceous, finely spotted with 
dusky ; back scalloped and streaked with 
dusky and vinaceous ; wing bright blue 
at base, middle coverts tipped with white 
Jll and buffy, speculum iridescent green; 
under tail coverts black, base of tail with 
white patch on either side. Adult female : 
crown mainly dusky, rest of head and 
, X neck speckled and streaked with dusky ; 

^ back dusky ; under parts gray, mottled 

■p- gg with dusky ; wiag with lesser coverts 

blue, greater tipped with white, spec- 
ulum greenish. Young : belly white, wing without green. Length : 14.50- 
16.00, wing 7.00-7.50, bill 1.40-1.65. 

Distribution. — North America, but chiefly east of Rocky Mountains ; in 
winter south to Ecuador. 

Nest. — On dry ground, or in grass or reeds in marshes ; made of grass 
and lined with feathers. Eggs : 8 to 12, pale buffy. 

The blue-winged teal is one of the commonest ducks throughout 
the middle portion of North Ameriea, but towards the west coast it 
becomes scarce, its place being filled by the more abundant cinna- 
mon teal. It breeds through most of its United States and northern 
range and migrates early, before the really cold weather. By prefer- 
ence it inhabits the marshes and grass-fringed ponds, keeping out of 
sight when it can ; but during migration, like many other ducks, 
it depends for safety on a wide expanse of open water. 

Vernon Bailey. 

141. Querquedula cyanoptera (Fz«7/.). Cinnamon Teal. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, breast, and sides bright cinnamon brown, 





DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 53 

fading to dull brown on belly and becoming- blackish on chin and crown ; 

back dusky, shoulders spotted and 

barred with dusky and brown ; wing- 

with lesser coverts light blue, middle 

coverts tipped with white, speculum 

g-reen, tertials broadly striped with 

blue, greenish black, and rich buff. 

Adult female : crown dusky, rest of 

head and neck finely specked and 

streaked with dusky on buffy ground ; 

rest of upper parts dusky scalloped 

with buff ; wing with large blue 

patch ; under parts brownish, mottled 

with dusky. Young: like female, 

but more streaked below. Length : 

15.50-17.00, wing 7.20-7.25, bill l'()5- . .^.. 

1.85. W 

Remarks. — The iemale cyanoptera ^. ^^ ^. ^ , 

differs from the female discors in ^'^^ •^'^- Cinnamon Teal. 

darker coloration, with the breast browner, and more spotted. 

Distribution. — From southern Canada and the western United States to 
Chili and Falkland Islands ; east irregularly into the Mississippi Valley. 

Nest. — On the ground. JSggs : 8 to 12, creamy white. 

Over most of the United States west of the himdredtli meridian 
the cinnamon teal is one of the commonest ducks, breeding in abun- 
dance throughout the Great Basin country, and to some extent over 
the greater part of its United States range. Its favorite summer 
home is in the shallow tule-bordered lakes or tule marshes of the 
arid region, where, even in the breeding season, it is found in little 
companies feeding along shore or out in the open patches of water. 
The nest is usually in a dry marsh or on a grassy bank not far from 
the water, well lined with dusky down from the duck's breast. The 
young are protected in the tule cover until old enough to fly, but 
they have many enemies. The prowling coyote dines with equal 
relish on a nest full of eggs or an unwary duck, and there are hawks 
by day and owls by night. 

The teals could hold their own against these old-time enemies, 
however, but a new danger has come to them in the form of the 
unrestrained market hunter. He goes to the breeding ground just 
before the young can fly and while the old ducks are moulting and 
equally helpless, and day after day loads his wagon with them for 
the train. This wholesale slaughter has gone on until some of the 
breeding grounds have been woefully thinned not only of teal, but 
of other ducks. Without speedy and strenuous efforts to procure 
and enforce protective laws, many species of ducks that breed prin- 
cipally within our limits will soon be exterminated. 

Vernon Bailey. 



54 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

GENUS SPATULA. 

142. Spatula clypeata (imn.). Shoveller: Spoonbill. 

Bill long, much widened toward end ; the long, fine corab-Hke teeth 
conspicuous along side of closed hill. Adult male : head and neck black, 
glossed on sides and back with green ; wing coverts light blue with a white 
bar ; scapulars streaked with blue, white, and black ; speculum green ; 
chest white, belly chestnut ; bill black, feet orange. Adult female : plum- 
age mainly spotted and streaked with dusky and brown ; wing as in the 
male, but duller. Young: in general like adult female. Length: 11-21, 
wing 9-10, biU 2.60-2.90, width of bill at base .60, near end 1.10-1.20. 

Distribution. — Northern hemisphere, breeding in North America from 
Texas to Hudson Bay and Alaska. 

Nest. — On ground in dry grass or under bushes, made of grass or 
weeds, lined with feathers. Eggs : 9 to 14, olive greenish to buffy. 

The shoveller is especially common over the plains and valleys of 
the western part of the continent, breeding from Texas to northern 
Alaska in the open country where there are shallow ponds and 
sloughs. They are usually found in pairs or small flocks, sitting on 
the bank or puddling in the shallow water close to shore, skimming 
flies and larvae from the surface with their spoon-like bills, or with 
head and neck under water, sifting seeds, mollusks, and crustaceans 
from the muddy bottom. They rarely become fat, and while fairly 
good eating are astonishingly thin and light for their apparent size. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS DAFILA. 

143. Dafila acuta (Linn.). Pintail. 

A large duck, with long neck and long, sharp tail of 16 feathers ; head 
not crested. Adult male : sides of head snuff brown, with a purple gloss ; 




y " --. -■' -- _ 

Fig. 70. 

crown darker, back of neck blackish, a white stripe down side of neck ; 
throat and under parts white ; sides and upper parts gray crossed by wavy 
lines ; wing slaty, with purple speculum bordered above by a line of buff, 
and below by white ; tertials with broad stripes of velvety black and 
white ; under tail coverts black. Adult female : gray, with head and neck 
finely specked, and under parts, including under surface of wing, finely 
mottled with dusky ; back and wings more heavily mottled with black, 
brown, and buffy ; wing without speculum, but greater coverts tipped 
with white. Male: length 26-30, wing 10.25-11.20, bill 1.85-2.15, tail 
7.25-9.50. Female: smaller, length 21.00-23.50, wing 9.60-10.10,. bill 
1.80, tail 4.50-5.00. 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



55 



Distribution. — Northern hemisphere, breeding' from Arizona, Missouri, 
and Illinois northward ; migrating to Cuba and Panama. 

Nest. — On the ground, in a well concealed depression ; lined with grass 
and feathers. JEggs : 7 to 10, pale greenish to olive buff. 

The pintail is a common and widely distributed species, breeding 
from southern California, Arizona, and Iowa north to Point Barrow. 
In Kansas, Goss says, it haunts the wet prairies, muddy flats, and 
edges of reedy, grassy waters, feeding largely on bulbous roots, 
tender shoots, insects and their larvae, worms, snails, and, in the fall, 
various seeds of water plants, grain, and acorns. At Point Reyes, 
California, large flocks of the pintails were seen by J. A. Loring 
lying out in the bay waiting for the tide to come in. As soon as it 
covered the salt grass flats they would follow it in and go to feeding. 

GENUS AIX. 

144. Aix sponsa (Linn.). Wood Duck. 

Bill narrow, higher than wide at base. Both sexes with drooping crests. 
Adult male: bill marked 
with black, white, red, and 
yellow ; head and crest 
brilliant purple and green, 
with white stripes ; throat 
white ; chest rich chestnut, 
with rows of white trian- 
gles; sides gray, with black 
and white bars and cres- 
cents ; shoulder crossed by 
black and white bars ; rest 
of upper parts black,varied 
with rich iridescent colors. 
Adult female : head dull 
grayish, glossed with green 
on crest and crown ; sides 
of head and throat white ; 
chest brown, belly white ; 
back richly glossed grayish 
brown. MaZe; length 19.00- 
20.50, wing 9.00-9.50, bill 
1.40. Female smaller. 

Distribution. — Temperate North America, from southern Canada south- 
ward. 

Nest. : — Usually 30 to 40 feet from the ground in the natural cavity of a 
tree trunk, lined with down. Eggs : usually 8 to 14, creamy white. 

If the end of a rainbow had touched a marsh and dabbled its colors 
over a plain brown duck, it could never have produced anything half 
so brilliant as one of these old male wood ducks in full breeding 
plumage. No Avonder the handsome fellows are shy and deem it 
prudent to keep hidden in crooked forest creeks or ponds surrounded 
by tall grass, brush, and trees ! A mossy log in a pond is a favorite 




56 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

resting place for the ducks, but as you walk through the woods in 
spring a pair will often fly from a branch overhead, uttering their 
shrill, plaintive cry as they dart through the trees. 

The nest is sometimes placed in the old excavation of a pileated 
woodpecker, but usually in a natural cavity. A mass of gray down 
from the mother's breast generally protects the eggs. The parents 
are said to carry the young in their bills from the nest to the nearest 
water, but in some cases, whether accidentally or not, the young 
4/Umble to the ground. In autumn the families gather into large 
flocks to fatten on wild rice and acorns. When fat the flesh is 
scarcely excelled by that of any duck. They are becoming scarce, 
and unless protected will before long be a bird of the past. 

GENUS AYTHYA. 

General Characters. — Head not crested, but short, thick, and rounded ; 
tail short and rigid ; wing with white or bluish speculum. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Head and neck bright brown. 

2. Crown dusky vallisneria, p. 57. 

2'. Crown reddish brown americana, p. 56. 

1'. Head and neck greenish or purplish black. 

2. Head glossed with green marila, p. 57. 

2'. Head glossed with purple. 

2. Neck without chestnut collar affinis, p. 58. 

o'. Neck with dark chestnut collar collaris, p. 59. 

146. Aythya americana {Eyt.). Redhead. 

Bill little more than twice as long as wide. Adult male: whole head 

and neck bright reddish 
chestnut ; shoulders and 
chest' black ; belly white ; 
sides and back uniform 
gray, with fine lines of black 
and ashy ; tail and feathers 
around base black. Adult 
female : plumage dull gray- 
ish brown except for whit- 
ish chin, throat, and belly. 
Length : 17-21, wing 8.50- 
9.25, bill 2.05-2.25, width 
of bill .75-.85. 

Distribution. — Nearly the 
whole of North America, 
I breeding from California, 
P Missouri, and Maine, north- 
ward. Not reported from 
Fig. 72. Alaska. 

Nest. — On marshy or 
grassy ground near water, loosely constructed of grass and weeds, and lined 
with down. Eggs : 7 to 10, grayish white or pale olive. 




DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



67 



The redhead is so similar to the canvas-back as to be easily mis- 
taken for it at a little distance, and in habits the resemblance is 
equally close. Goss says that this deep water duck, though widely 
distributed, is not so common on the Pacific slope as east of the 
Rocky Mountains. It is usually found in flocks on the open water 
associated with canvas-backs, and diving with them for its food, 
which consists of various kinds of submarine and fresh water plants, 
small mollusks, crustaceans, fish, frogs, and water newts. 

147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). Canvas-back. 

Bill three times as long as wide. Adult male: head and neck rich 

chestnut brown, becoming- 
dusky on crown and face ; 
shoulders and chest black ; 
sides and back light gray ; 
belly white or grayish ; tail 
and quills dark gray ; feath- 
ers around base of tail black. 
_^ Adult female: plumage 
ij«j mainly umber brown, becom- 
ing whitish around face and 
chin. Length: 20.00-23.50, 
wing 8.7o-9.25,bill 2.10-2.50. 
Distribution. — Whole of 
North America, breeding in 
Colorado,Nevada, Minnesota, 
and northward to Fort An- 
derson and Fort Yukon. 

Nest. — Usually in reeds, 
grass, or rushes, in shallow 
water, a bulky mass of grass 
stems lined with down. Eggs: 
7 to 8, pale olive green. 

•^^s- '^^' In its breeding range the 

canvas-back is largely a bird of the northern interior, while in winter 
it is found mainly in the bays and estuaries of the southern coasts, 
where it is attracted by its favorite food, the stems and bulbs of wild 
celery or eel grass, Vallisneria. While feeding on this plant the 
canvas-backs become fat and so delicately flavored as to outrank all 
other ducks in quality and market price. Hunted wherever they 
go, they have learned that existence depends on eternal vigilance, 
and so keep out in open water as far from shore as their feeding 
grounds will allow. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Fuligula. 

148. Aythya marila (imn.). Scaup Duck: Blue-bill. 

Bill short and wide, bluish with black tip. Male in breeding plumage : 
head black, glossed with green ; shoulders, rump, and chest black ; belly 
white, margined along sides with light grayish ; crissum black. Post- 





58 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

breeding plumage : similar to female 
but darker brown. Adult female : head, 
neck, chest, and sides brownish ; re- 
gion around base of bill, and belly, 
whitish. Length: 18-20, wing- about 

50, bill 2.03. 

Distribution. — Most of the northern 
hemisphere ; in North America breed- 
ing- mainly north of the United States ; 
south in winter to Guatemala and the 
West Indies. 

Nest. — Usually in a marsh, or a de- 
pression in g-rassy ground near water, 
lined with down. Eggs : 9 to 12, pale 
olive gray. 

The scaup duck, or blue-bill, is not 
so generally common in the United 
Fig. 74. Scaup Duck. States as the lesser scaup, which 

has essentially the same habits and is sometimes mistaken for it. 
Flocks of both are found associated in the rice lakes, where the 
report of a gun will sometimes start thousands into the air with the 
roar of an avalanche. The two species are generally indistinguish- 
able on the wing, and together often form the bulk of the ducks 
seen during the early spring or late fall migration. 

Yernon Bailey. 

149. Ay thy a affinis (Eyt.). Lessee Scaup Duck. 

Like A. marila, but smaller, with black of head glossed \yith purple 
instead of green, and sides more heavilv lined with gray. Length : 15.00- 
16.50, wing 7.50-8.25, bill 1.58-1.90, width of bill .80-.95. 

Distribution. — North America, south in winter to Guatemala, breed- 
ing mainly north of the United States. 

Nest. — Similar to that of marila. Eggs : 7 to 9, pale olive gray. 

The lesser scaup, or little blue-bill, is abundant during migrations 
over most of the United States, wintering from Okanagon and Lake 
Chelan south to Guatemala, and in spring following north close to 
the edge of the retreating ice, to breed mainly north of the United 
States. 

Like all of the genus, the lesser scaups are great divers and keep 
much in the open lakes, often in large flocks, where they dive for 
food, or sleep and rest on the water in comparative safety. They 
cannot resist the temptation of the rice lakes, however, and swarm 
into them by thousands to fatten on the delicious grain, which they 
glean from the mud bottoms after it has been threshed out by the 
wind and the wings of myriads of coots and rails. While they eat, 
the hunters lie hidden in the tall rice and on the ridges which they 
must pass in going from lake to lake, and in spite of their bullet-like 
flight the sadly thinned flocks show the penalty they have paid for 
leaving the open water. Vernon Bailey. 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 59 

150. Aythya COUaris {Bonov.). Ring-necked Duck. 

Bill narrower than in A. marila, black, crossed by blue band near end. 
Adult male : head, except small white triangle on chin, black, glossed 
with rich purple ; neck encircled by narrow chestnut collar ; chest and 
back black, back glossed with greenish ; wings blackish, with blue gray 
speculum ; middle of belly buffy white ; sides and back finely vermiculated 
gray ; crissum black. Adult female : throat and face whitish, rest of 
head, neck, and upper parts dull brown ; wing with blue gray speculum 
as in male ; chest and sides fulvous, belly white. Length : 15.50-18.00, 
wing 8.00, bill 1.7.5-2.00. 

Distribution. — North America, south in winter to Guatemala, breeding 
from Minnesota and North Dakota northward. 

Nest and eggs as in affinis. 

In habits, as well as in general appearance, the ring-neck is very 
similar to the lesser scaup. At a little distance they are indistin- 
guishable, either on the wing or on the water. 

GENUS CLANGULA. 

General Characters. — Bill short, high at base and narrowed toward end ; 
head with wide, high crest ; males with head green and large white spot 
at base of bill ; females with head and crest plain brownish. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. White patch on cheek, circular americana, p. 59. 

1'. White patch on cheek, triangular islandica, p. 60. 

KEY TO FEMALES. 

1. Head light snufp brown americana, p. 59. 

1'. Head dark umber brown islandica, p. 60. 

151. Clangula clangula americana {Bonap.). American 

Golden-eye. 

Adult male. — Head and crest rich dark green, a round white patch at 
base of bill; neck and under parts 
white ; back black, shoulders white ; 
wing with white central patch and 
white stripes on scapulars. Adult 
female : head and upper neck light 
snuff brown, neck with wide white 
or gray collar ; belly white ; chest, 
sides, and shoulders gray ; wing 
dusky, with white on coverts and 
secondaries, the white greater cov- 
erts not tipped with dusky. Nail of 
bill not over .20 wide. Young male: I \ 

like female, but sometimes with a jL 
suggestion of the white patch at mm^ 
base of bill, and less gray on chest. ^^^ 

Male : length 18.50-23.00, wing 9.18, "^ 

bill 1.95. Female : 16.50, wing 8.14, „. „. 

bill 1.64. *'^•^^' 

Distribution. — North America, breeding in the northern United States 
and northward ; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 




60 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

Nest. — Usually in a hollow tree, sometimes in a log or stump, lined with 
down, J^ggs : usually 9 to 12, light greenish. 

Although ranging practically over the whole of North America 
the golden-eyes are rarely common. They are generally found in 
small flocks on large lakes or rivers, where they dive for fresh 
water weeds, mussels, and crustaceans. Their strong rapid flight 
is accompanied by a loud whistling of the wings, which gives them 
the common name of whistler. Vernon Bailey. 

152. Clangula islandica {Gmel). Barrow Golden.-eye. 
Similar to americana, but male with glossy blue black head, and tri- 
angular or crescent-shaped spot at base of bill ; female with head and 
neck dark umber brown, white collar narrower, and white greater wing 
coverts tipped with dusky ; nail of bill over .23 wide. Male ': length 21- 
23, wing 9.17, bill 1.75. "Female : wing 8.46, bill 1.56. 

Remarks. — In many of the females the characters do not hold, and it 
is difficult even with specimens of both species to name them all. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, breeding from mountains of 
Oregon, Colorado, and Gulf of St. Lawrence northward to Alaska and Green- 
land ; south in winter to Illinois, Nebraska, Utah, and San Francisco Bayo 

Nest. — In hollow trees. 

The Barrow golden-eye, though less common and less widely dis- 
tributed in migration, breeds farther south than its near relative the 
American golden-eye, nesting in the crater basin of Paulina Lake, 
Oregon, and about many of the wild mountain lakes of the Rockies 
as far south as Colorado. In winter it is able to remain as far north 
as Minnesota or the Great Lakes by keeping in water that is too 
deep or rapid to freeze. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS CHAKITONETTA. 

153. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). Buffle-head. 

A plump little duck with short, pointed bill and round, crested head. 

Adult male : head, except 
white patch, rich iridescent 
purple, violet, and green ; 
back and part of wings 
black ; rump and tail gray ; 
rest of plumage white. Adult 
female : mainly grayish or 
dusky, with a large white spot 
on ear coverts and white patch 
on middle of wing ; belly 
" white. Male : length 14.25- 

15.25, wing 6.75-6.90, biU 
1.10-1.15. i^emaZe : smaller. 
Distribution. — North 
i America, south in winter to 
Mexico ; breeds from Maine, 

--> Iowa, and British Columbia 

Fig. 76. north to Alaska. 




DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 61 

Nest. — In hollow tree- or hole in bank. Eggs : 9 to 14, grayish buff, 
unusually rounded, for a duck. 

During migration the buffie-head is common and often abundant 
over most of the western United States. It is a conspicuous little 
duck, and the male is easily recognized by its small size, white sides, 
and breast. The flocks generally keep out in the open water of 
lakes and rivers, where they dive for their food, but are sometimes 
surprised in small ponds or creeks in the shelter of grassy banks. 
In fall they often remain till the last bole in the ice is closed up, 
and in spring are back again close to the retreating ice. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS HARELDA. 

154. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). Old-squaw. 

A trim little duck with short bill ; male with long slender tail; head 
not crested. Adult male in winter : head and fore parts to shoulders and 
breast ■ white, except for 

patches of ashy and dusky — --— --^^ -• - '~™~"^ •-■. ^^ 

on side of head ; back. ^ 

middle tail feathers, and . 1 

breast black ; belly white 
posteriorly, shading into 
pearl gray on sides. Adult 
male in summer : sooty, ex- 
cept for white belly, ash 
gray face, and white eye- I 
lids ; back and scapulars \ 
streaked with chestnut. 
Adult female in winter : tail i 

not lengthened; head, ^- — - 

neck, and under parts Fit,. 77 

mainly white ; chest gray- 
ish ; crown dusky, rest of upper parts dusky brown, the scapulars bor- 
dered with lighter brown. Adult female in summer : head and neck 
grayish brown, with whitish spaces around eye and on .side of neck. 
Young : similar to female in summer. Male : length 20.75-23.00, wing 
8.50-9.00, middle tail feathers 8.00-8.50, bill 1.10. Female : length 15-16, 
wing 8-9, tail 8. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere ; south in winter 
nearly across the United States ; breeding from Labrador to Alaska. 

Nest. — Usually on the grassy bank of a pond or stream, made of grass 
and lined with down. Eggs : 5 to 9. 

The old-squaw, or long-tailed duck, is mainly a bird of the arctic 
coasts, migrating south into the northern United States in winter. 



GENUS HISTRIONICUS. 

155. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.). Harlequin Duck. 
A small duck with moderate crest, short bill, and long sharp taiL 



^^ ,.*£^^ 






62 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 




Fig. 78. Harlequin Duck. 

Nest. — In hollow tree or stump 
to 8. 



Adult male in winter and spring: 
head and neck bluish black, with 
white patches ; collar white ; shoul- 
der bar black and white ; middle of 
crown black, bordered behind by 
chestnut ; chest and shoulders dark 
plumbeous ; belly sooty, sides bright 
rufous ; wing- with steel blue specu- 
lum and four white spots ; rump 
black, with white spot on each side. 
Adidt male in summer : colors much 
duller than in winter. Adult female : 
head, neck, and upper parts sooty, 
with a white spot on ear coverts and 
a large white patch on side of face ; 
belly mottled grayish. Length: 15.00- 
17.50, wing 7.40-8.00, bill 1.05-1.10. 
Distribution. — Eastern Asia, 
Greenland, Iceland, and northern 
North America ; south to the middle 
states in winter ; breeding from New- 
foundland and the mountains of Col- 
orado and California northward to 
the arctic coast, 
or under rocks or driftwood. Eggs : 6 



The harlequin duck is rare enough in the United States to excite 
keen interest, especially when found on its breeding grounds. A 
little flock of the richly barred and spotted beauties fishing in a 
foaming mountain stream, diving, bobbing on the rough surface, 
drifting or darting down over the rapids, and then gathering in a 
bunch below to fly back up stream for another descent, suggests a 
lot of schoolboys on a coasting party rather than a flock of birds 
engaged in the serious business of getting breakfast. They seem 
to enjoy the icy water and their power to dare and buffet its tor- 
rents. Although breeding more or less commonly in the mountains 
from Colorado and California northward, little is known of their 
nesting habits. Nests are reported in the far north under shelter of 
rocks and driftwood. Vernon Bailey. 



GENUS OIDEMIA. 

General Characters. — Bill with base much swollen (except in female 
americana), partly orange in males, black in females ; colors mainly black 
or dusky. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Feathering of head stopping far short of nostrils . americana, p. 63. 
1'. Feathering of head not stopping far short of nostrils. 

2. Lores not feathered as far forward as forehead. 

perspicillata, p. 63. 

2 . Lores feathered as far forward as forehead . . deglandi, p. 63. 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 63 

Subgenus Oidemia. 
163. Oidemia americana Swains, American Scoter. 

Plumage dark without white markings ; eyes always brown. Adult 
male : bill swollen back of nostrils, with a large yellow and red spot at 
base, including nostrils ; plumage black or sooty. Adult female : bill 
black, with a trace of yellow at base in breeding plumage, not swollen at 
base ; upper parts dusky brown, under parts grayish brown. Young : 
like female but lighter and indistinctly barred below. Length: 17.00-21.50, 
wing 8.75-9.50, bill 1.65-1.80. 

Distribution. — Northern part of North America, breeding in Labrador, 
Hudson Bay region, and Alaska ; south in winter to New Jersey, Illinois, 
Colorado, and southern California. 

Nest. — In grass or willows near water. 

The American scoter is a duck of the northern seacoasts, mi- 
grating but sparingly into the United States. 

Subgenus Melanitta. 

165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. White-winged Scoter. 

Bill swollen at base over nostrils and on sides ; tip orange in male ; 
feathers of lores coming close 
to nostrils, as far forward as 
those of forehead. Adult male : 
eyes white; plumage black or 
sooty, with white eye patch and 
wing speculum. Adult female: 
eyes brown ; plumage sooty 
gray, darker above ; wing 
speculum white. Length : 19.75- 
23.00, wing 10.65-11.40, bill 
1.40-1.70. ^ 

Distribution. — Northern 
North America, breeding in North Dakota but mainly north of the United 
States ; south in winter to Chesapeake Bay, Colorado, and Lower Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with grass, twigs, moss, and 
down ; usually concealed among dwarf willows, rosebushes, or spruces. 
Eggs : 5 to 8, deep buff. 

The white-winged scoter is more or less common along the Pacific 
coast, but rare inland in the United States. 

Subgenus Pelionetta. 

166. Oidemia perspicillata {Linn.). Surf Scoter. 

Bill with swollen sides of base naked ; feathers of forehead reaching 
to near nostril, of lores only to corner of mouth ; bill black and less 
swollen in female ; red, orange, yellow, and white in male, with large 
black spot on side of base. Adult male : entire plumage velvety black 
except for triangular white patch on forehead and another on back of 
head; eyes white. Adult female : upper parts sooty brown, under parts 
silver gray, usually with white patch at corner of mouth. Young : like 
female, but with whitish patches at base of bill and back of ear. Male : 
length 20-22, wing 9.25-9.75, bill 1.30-1.60. Female: smaller. 




64 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

Distribution. — North America, breeding . from Sitka and the Gulf of 
St, Lawrence north to the arctic regions ; soutli in winter to Florida, 
Colorado, and Lower California. 

Nest. — In a bunch of marsh grass, on ground in tall grass, or under 
low branches of scrubby trees ; made of plant stems and lined with down. 
Eggs : 5 to 8, cream color. 

The surf scoters are abundant on both coasts, and during the 
breeding season quite common on the large northern inland waters. 

Colonel Goss in describing their habits says that they are "at 
home as well in the surging surf as upon the smooth waters, resting 
and sleeping at night out on the open waters. . . . They rise in a 
running, laborious manner, but when fairly on the wing fly rapidly, 
and in stormy weatlier hug closely to the water." The ducks are 
very active when feeding, diving so constantly and rapidly one after 
another that they are continually disappearing and popping up. 
The bivalve is a favorite food with them. Colonel Goss says, its 
shell apparently digesting with as much ease as its contents. As 
they also eat fish, their flesh is coarse and rather rank. 

GENUS ERISMATURA. 

167. Erismatura jamaicensis {Gmel). Ruddy Duck. 

Bill short and widest near end, bright blue in adult male. Adult male : 

top and back of head black ; neck 

and rest of upper parts chestnut ; 

cheeks and chin white ; belly 

gray, washed with silvery white, 

] or sometimes rusty. Female and 

immature : upper parts plain 

grayish brown ; sides of head 

whitish, with a dusky streak 

from corner of mouth to back of 

Fig. 80. ear ; under parts gray, washed 

with silvery white or rustv. 

Length : 13.50-16.00, wing 5.75-6.00, bill 1.50-1.60. 

Distribution. — North America and south to Colombia, breeding over 
much of its North American range. 

iS/est. — A bulky mass of plant stems on the water anaong tules, reeds, 
or cat-tails. Eggs : 9 to 14, creamy or light huffy. 

The ruddy duck is common over much of the western United 
States, and breeds abundantly in places that suit its taste, especially 
in the grass-fringed lakes of tlie northern plains and the big shallow 
tule lakes of the Great Basin country. It is a duck of much indi- 
viduality. It sits jauntily on the water, its spike tail tilted up, and 
with bold audacity holds its ground till you are at close quarters, 
then as you think it is going to fly, and raise your gun for a wing 
shot, it suddenly dives. Its skill at hiding under water till it has 
gained the other side of a point or island would do credit to a grebe, 




DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 65 

and has doubtless come from its habit of feeding at the bottom of the 
lake. Goss gives its food as seeds, roots, and plant stems, shellfish 
and various forms of life found in both deep and shallow water. 
He adds that when fat it is a good table duck. My own experience 
is that, roasted Indian fashion in the fire with the feathers on, its 
meat is juicy, tender, and of delicious flavor, particularly if you are 
hungry! Vernon Bailey 

GENUS NOMONYX. 

[168.] Nomonyx dominicus (Linn.). Masked Duck. 

Similar to the ruddy duck, but tail with 20 instead of 18 feathers, and 
bill smaller with wider nail — nail over .25 wide instead of .10 as in the 
ruddy. Adult male : front of head black ; neck, sides, and back bright 
chestnut, streaked on back with black ; wings black, with a large white 
patch. Adult female : crown blackish ; side of head with two black and 
two buffy stripes ; neck and sides dull brownish ; back dusky. Length : 
12.00-14.50, wing about 5.50-5.75, tail 3.50-4.50, bill 1.30-1.37. 

Distribution. — Tropical America and West Indies ; north on Gulf coast 
to Lower Rio Grande ; accidental in eastern United States. 

GENUS CHEN. 

General Characters. — Bill short and high at base, dull red, with whitish 
tip ; feet dull red ; plumage of adults white, except for wing, which has a 
black tip and adjoining gray patch. Young with head, neck, and upper 
parts light gray ; rump, tail, and under parts white, feet and tail dusky. 

' KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill very stout, with black along edges. 

2. Smaller, wing 14..50-17.00 hyperborea, p. 65. 

2'. Larger, wing 17..35-17.50 nivalis, p. 66. 

1'. Bill not very stout, without black on cutting edges ; wing 13.75-15.50. 

rossii, p. 66. 

169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.). Lesser Snow Goose. 

Adults. — A conspicuous hard, black plate along side of lower mandible ; 
plumage pure white except for wing, which has black tip and gray patch ; 
white of head and sometimes neck and breast washed or stained with 
rusty orange. Length : 23-28, wing 14.50-17.00, bill 1.95-2.30. 

Distribution. — Western North America, breeding in Alaska ; south in 
winter to southern California, Gulf of Mexico, and east to Kansas and 
southern Blinois. 

The snow geese, or white brant, are common in migration over the 
western United States, wintering in California, southern Utah, Texas, 
and Mexico. They are oftenest seen on the wing high overhead in 
long diagonal lines or V-shaped flocks, flying rapidly and uttering a 
chorus of shrill falsetto cries ; but not infrequently they are found in 
some big marsh, on the open prairie, or in a field of grain, massed till 
they look like a spring snow bank. Much of their food is gleaned 
from the stubble fields during the fall migration and from fields of 



66 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

sprouting grain in spring. In winter they feed largely on tlie tender 
white roots of a rush — Juncus balticus (?) — dug from the river banks, 
marshes, and shores. They are usually lean, and their flesh is dark 
and generally tough, Vernon Bailey. 

169a. Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.). Greater Snow Goose. 

Like hyperborea, but larg'er. Length: 30-38, wing 17.35-17.50, bill 2.55- 
2.70. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding in northern Greenland 
and probably west to Mackenzie River ; south in winter along Atlantic 
coast to Cuba, and in the Mississippi valley to Nebraska and Colorado. 

Nest. — Little known. Eggs : 5 to 8, cream color. 

Subgenus Exanthemops. 
170. Chen rossii (Cassin). Ross Snow Goose. 

Adults. — Base of upper mandible often rough and warty ; bill compara- 
tively small and without black stripe along side ; plumage as in hyperborea. 
Length: 20-26, wing 13.75-15.50, bill 1.50-1.70. 

Distribution. — Interior of arctic America ; south in winter to California 
and east to Montana. Rare. 

GENUS ANSER. 

171a. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl). White-fronted 

Goose. 
Bill comparatively low at base, yellow or orange ; feet orange or red- 
___.,,^ dish. ^c?w/<s ; face white, bor- 

dered with dusky ; rest of h^ad 
and neck, also shoulders and 
chest, dark gray ; belly and 
sides black or spotted with 
black, becoming white pos- 
teriorly and on under tail 
coverts-; back dusky gray. 
Young: without white face 
or black on belly. Length : 27- 
30, wing 14.2.5-17..50, bill 1.80- 
2.35, depth of upper mandible 
"^ -p. gj_ at base .90-1.20. 

Distribution. — North Amer- 
ica and Greenland, breeding from Vancouver Island to the Arctic Ocean ; 
south in winter to Mexico and Cuba. 

Nest. — A shallow cavity in the ground lined with grass, feathers, and 
down. Eggs : 5 to 7, creamy white. 

The food of the white-fronted goose, according to Goss, consists 
chiefly of vegetable matter, tender aquatic plants, insects, snails, and 
frogs. In the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys the geese are so 
abundant and their ravages to the growing wheat crop so serious 
that farmers often hire men by the month to drive them away. Dr. 
Merrill says that the numbers of these birds that migrate through 
western Oregon are so immense they cannot be appreciated until one 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 67 

has seen the spring flight, which, he has been told, extends from 
the coast inland two hundred and fifty to three hundred miles. Mr. 
A. M. Shields states that the white-fronted is the goose usually seen 
in the Los Angeles game market, being most easily secured by the 
pot-hunters. 

GENUS BRANTA. 

General Characters. — Bill and feet black at all ages ; both sexes and 
young alike ; neck long and slender ; head and neck black, with white on 
cheeks, or else white collar ; body mainly gray. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Cheeks white. 

2. White of cheeks continuous under throat. 

3. Length 35-43 canadensis, p. 67. 

3'. Length 25-34 hutchinsii, p. 68. 

2'. White of cheeks separated by black of throat. 

3. Wing 16.25-18.00 occidentalis, p. 68. 

3'. Wing 13.60-14.50 minima, p. 68. 

1'. Cheeks black, collar white nigricans, p. 68. 

172. Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. 

Head and neck black except for broad white band across throat and 
cheeks ; bo.dy deep gray, feathers 
tipped with lighter ; rump, tail, 
and quills black ; upper and 
lower tail coverts, and ventral 
region, white. Length : 35-43, 
wing 15.60-21.00, bill 1.55-2.70. 

Distribution. — North Amer- 
ica, breeding from the northern 
United States to Labrador and 
the lower Mackenzie ; south in 
winter to Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually on low mound 
in marsh, made of grass and 
leaves, lined with down. Re- 
ported also in old nests of Fig. 82. 
hawks and eagles, in trees. Eggs : 6 to 7, dull white. 

Few wild bird notes are more inspiring than the honk, honk, ha 
wank, honk, of a long line of Canada geese flying with apparent de- 
liberation but with really terrific speed overhead, calling as they go 
in notes that carry for a mile over marsh, lake, and prairie. The 
big strong wings whish loudly overhead far out of shotgun range, 
and often a low conversational gabble can be heard under the loud 
honking. Few of our game birds, by intelligent caution and watch- 
fulness, have withstood so successfully the deep laid schemes and 
murderous devices of pot-hunters and sportsmen as this noble, spir- 
ited bird. The widest expanse of water, marsh, or prairie is sought 
for the day's feeding and resting ground, and the country surveyed 




68 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 

in lofty circles before the flock descends. Some of the long necks 
are always stretched and some keen eyes on guard, but danger lies 
in the hidden hunter, the decoy, and the lantern. The rice lakes are 
usually abandoned as too deadly, and much of the food of the geese 
is obtained in fall from stubble fields, scattered wheat, oats, barley, 
or corn ; or in spring from fields of sprouting grain. In summer, 
grass furnishes most of their food, but many of the small water ani- 
mals, such as snails, minnows, and tadpoles, are eaten. As the geese 
still breed over parts of the United States and Canada, the eggs are 
often found and frequently hatched under hens, tame geese, or tur- 
keys. A hen can cover three eggs very nicely. The young become 
perfectly tame, and are affectionate, exceedingly bright, interesting 
pets, always ruling the poultry yard and most of the barn yard. 

Vernon Bailey. 

172a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.). Hutchins Goose. 

Like canadensis, but smaller. Length : 25-34, wing 14.15-17.75, bill 1.20- 
1.90. 

Distribution. — Japan, Siberia, and arctic America ; south in winter 
through the United States. Breeds mainly in arctic regions, but reported 
as resident in British Columbia. Rare toward Atlantic coast. 

Nest. — On ground in grass, lined with down. Eggs : usually 6, dull 
white. 

The habits of the Hutchins goose are similar to those of the Canada 
goose, 

172b. Branta canadensis occidentalis (Baird). White- 
cheeked Goose. 

Like canadensis, but under parts darker, white cheek patches usually 
separated by black on throat ; lower part of neck with a more or less dis- 
tinct collar. Length: 35, wing 16.25-18.00, bill 1.40-1.65.. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, north to Sitka ; south in 
winter to California. 

172c. Branta canadensis mimmei Rid gw. Cackling Goose. 

Like occidentalis but smaller. Length: 23-25, wing 13.60-14.50, bill 
.95-1.15. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, breeding about Norton 
Sound and the lower Yukon ; south in winter to California, and rarely east 
to the Mississippi valley. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground, lined with grass and down. Eggs: 
5 to 8, white. 

The cackling goose is reported by Nelson as common and breeding 
in Alaska, and by Fannin and Brooks as resident on the coast of 
British Columbia. 

174. Branta nigricans (Lawr.). Black Brant. 

Adults. — Head entirely black, neck almost encircled by a broad white 
collar open behind ; upper parts dark sooty brown ; breast black, shading 



DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 69 

to dark slaty ; anal reg-ion white. Young : white collar indistinct or 
wanting ; larger wing coverts and secondaries broadly tipped with white. 
Length: 22-29, wing- 12.70-13.50, bill 1.20-1.35. 

Distribution. — Western and arctic America, breeding at Point Barrow ; 
south in winter along the coast to Lower California. Rare in eastern United 
States. 

Nest. — A depression in marshy ground, lined with down. Eggs : 4 to 6. 

GENUS PHILACTE. 

176. Philacte canagica (Sevast.). Emperor Goose. 

Bill small and not much elevated at base, mainly light colored, bluish 
or pinkish white above ; pit of nostrils reaching feathers of forehead ; feet 
orange. Adults: head and back of neck white or stained with rusty 
orange ; chin and throat dusky or brownish black ; rest of plumage, except 
white tail, bluish gray, each feather with a black bar and white tip. 
Young: similar to adult, but whole head dusky, specked with' white on 
top. Length : 26, wing 14.30-15.75, bill 1.40-1.65. 

Distribution. — Coast of Alaska, chiefly in the region of Norton Sound 
and the lower Yukon ; south in winter to Butte County, California. Rare 
in the United States. 

GENUS DENDROCYGNA. 

General Characters. — Feet and legs long and large for a duck ; legs 
covered with small hexagonal plates ; neck long and slender ; head not 
crested ; sexes similar. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Feet and legs pinkish, bill yellow autumnalis, p. 69. 

1'. Feet, legs, and bill black fulva, p. 69. 

177. Dendrocygna autumnalis (Linri.). Black-bellied Tree 

Duck. 

Adults. — Crown, neck, breast, and back bright cinnamon brown ; sides 
of head ashy gray ; belly, rump, tail, and end of wing black ; base of 
wing and quills with large white patches ; under tail coverts white, spotted 
with black. Young : colors duller, bill and feet dusky. Length : 19.75- 
24.00, wing 9.20-9.70, bill 1.90-2.15, tarsus 2.25-2.60. 

Distribution. — Middle America and north to the Rio Grande Valley 
and Nueces River, Texas. 

Nest. — In hollow trees, often at considerable distance from water. 
Eggs : 12 to 16. 

178. Dendrocygna fulva (Gmel.). Fulvous Tree-duck. 
Under parts, head, and shoulders plain bufPy brown or tawny, darkest on 

crown ; back of neck with black stripe ; back and wings blackish, feathers 
of middle of back broadly tipped with tawny ; upper and lower tail cov- 
erts and stripes along sides creamy white. Length: 20-21, wing 8.10- 
8.90, bill 1.65-1.95, tarsus 2.10-2.40. 

Distribution. — Mexico and north to central California, Nevada, and 
Louisiana ; also in South America, southern Asia, Africa, and Mada- 
gascar. 

Nest. — In hollow trees or more commonly on groiind in marsh or near 
water, a well built and often well concealed nest. Eggs : numerous, 15 to 
SO or more. 



70 IBISES 

The fulvous tree-duck is a more or less common summer resident 
of the tule marshes and irrigated regions of southern California, 
breeding abundantly in favorite localities and migrating south in 
winter. Its usual nesting place seems to be on the ground in 
marshes, but it also breeds in trees. (See Bull. Cooper Ornithological 
Club, vol. i. No. 1, p. 9 ; and Condor, vol. iii. No. 3, p. 67.) 

GENUS OliOB. 

General Characters. — Size very large ; neck longer than body ; bill 
black, large, and high at base, with naked space reaching eyes. Plum- 
age entirely pure white in adults. Young : ashy, or tinged with brownish ; 
bill and feet grayish or flesh color. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Distance from eye to back of nostril greater than rest of bill. 

columbianus, p. 70. 
1'. Distance from eye to back of nostril less than rest of bill. 

buccinator, p. 70. 

180. Olor columbianus {Ord.). Whistling Swan. 

Bill black ; lores usually with a small yellow spot. Length : 4^ feet, 
extent about 7 feet, wing 21-22, bill 3.80-4.20. 

Distribution. — North America, breeding far northward and probably in 
British Columbia ; migrating south over the United States ; wintering 
from British Columbia and Illinois southward. 

Nest. — On ground usually on island or bank near water ; made of moss, 
grass, and leaves. Eggs : 5 to 7, dull whitish. 

181. Olor buccinator (Bich.). Tkdmpeter Swan. 

Adult male. — Bill and lores entirely black. Length : 5-5^ feet, extent 8 
to nearly 10 feet, wing 21.00-27.50, bill 4.30-4.70. 

Distribution. — Interior of North America, le^s common toward the 
coasts, breeding from Iowa and the Dakotas northward, but mainly far 
north ; wintering from southern British Columbia to- Gulf of Mexico and 
southern California. 

Nest. — On ground, made of grass, leaves, and feathers. Eggs : 5 to 7, 
dull whitish. 

Mr. Grinnell says that the trumpeter swan is a regular spring 
visitant to the fresh water ponds and lakes in the vicinity of Los 
Angeles. 

ORDER HERODIONES: HERONS, STORKS, 
IBISES, ETC. 

(Families Plataleid^, Ibidid^, Ciconiid^, and Ardeid^.^) 

FAMILY IBIDIDiE: IBISES. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Head of adult mainly naked, crown with short feathers. Guara, p. 71. 
1'. Head feathered except on lores, crown lightly crested. Plegadis, p. 71. 

^ See Appendix, page 486. 



IBISES 71 



GENUS GUABA. 



184. Guara alba (Linn.). White Ibis. 

Size large ; face and chin naked in adults ; head not crested. Adults : 
tips of wings black ; rest of plumage white, tinted with pink in life. 
Young : dark brownish except for white belly, rump, and tail coverts ; 
head and neck specked with dusky. Length : 21.50-27.50, wing 10.30- 
11.75, bill 4.15-6.30, tarsus 3.10-4.00. 

Distribution. — Tropical America, the West Indies, and north to North 
Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Great Salt Lake, and Lower California ; acci- 
dentally to Connecticut. 

GENUS PLEGADIS. 

General Characters. — Lores and eyelids naked, rest of head well feath- 
ered and crown slightly crested ; bill long, scythe-shaped, grooved from 
nostril to tip ; colors rich purplish brown, with metallic tints. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Feathers at base of bill black autumnalis, p. 71. 

1'. Feathers at base of bill white guarauna, p. 71. 

186. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.). Glossy Ibis. 

Like guarauna, but larger, with green instead of red lores, and feathers 
at base of bill blackish instead of white. Length : 22-25, wing 10.20- 
11.85, bill 4.30-5.45. 

Distribution. — Southeastern United States and West Indies, and warmer 
parts of Old World ; straggling to New England, Nebraska, and Arizona. 

187. Plegadis guarauna (Linn.). White-faced Glossy Ibis. 
Lores and eyelids naked, rest of head well feathered ; bill long and 

narrow, gently 

curved downward, ^ -, 

grooved from nos- 
tril to tip. Adults : -.- _ 
lores red ; face 
whitish; head, 
neck, shoulders, 
and under parts 
dark rich chestnut ; 

crown and wings ^5^*^ Fig. 83. 

glossed with iri- 
descent purplish and greenish. Young : head and neck streaked with white 
and dusky, and under parts grayish brown. Length : 19-26, wing 9.30- 
10.80, bill 3.75-6.00, tarsus 3.00-4.40. 

Distribution. — Tropical America and western United States, Texas, 
and Lower California to Oregon, and casually to British Columbia and 
Florida. 

Nest. — Among or on rushes, made of stems of rushes and various 
other plants. Eggs : usually 3, greenish blue. 

The glossy ibis is a marsh bird, usually seen in flocks varying 
from a dozen to fifty, circling overhead or wading in the shallow 
water of a marsh, slough, or irrigated field. At a distance the birds 




72 STORKS AND WOOD IBISES 

look as black as ravens, but their flight is crane-like, and walking or 
wading they have the dignified pose of the cranes and herons. No 
doubt the name black curlew comes from their curved bill, but they 
are neither cranes nor curlews. According to Goss, they feed on 
crawfish, snails, minnows, frogs, and insects. Vernon Bailey. 

FAMILY CICONIIDiE : STORKS AND WOOD IBISES. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Bill curved downward and blunt at tip . . . . . Tantalus, p. 72. 
1'. Bill inclined upward and sharp at tip Mycteria, p. 72. 

GENUS TANTALUS. 

188. Tantalus ioculator Linn. Wood Ibis. 

Adults. — Head and upper neck naked and, except for a smooth square 
patch on crown, scurfy. Plumage mainly white ; wing- quills and tail 
greenish and purplish black ; under wing coverts pinkish in breeding 
plumage. Young : whole head and neck except face covered with green- 
ish brown feathers, darker on back of head ; rest of plumage dull whitish. 
Length : 35-45, wing 17.60-19.50, bill 6.10-7.30. 

Distribution. — Southern United States from Ohio, Colorado, Utah, and 
southwestern California south to Argentina; casually north to Wisconsin 
and New York. 

Nest. — In trees, a loosely arranged platform of sticks, lined with moss 
or other soft material. Eggs : usually 3, dull white. 

Goss says the wood ibis is a common resident of all the Gulf 
states, and is found on the Colorado and Gila rivers in the vicinity of 
Yuma. During the breeding season the ibises assemble in large 
flocks, but they scatter more or less afterwards. Their food consists 
of fish, crabs, frogs, young alligators, and the small forms of life 
that inhabit shallow lagoons and pools on overflowed land. 

GENUS MYCTERLA.. 

[189.] Mycteria americana Linn. Jabiru. 

Size of a large crane ; legs long, bill enormous and inclined upwards at 
tip. Adults : head and neck naked except for a hair-like crest on occiput ; 
bill, head, and legs black ; skin of lower neck red in life ; plumage 
white. Young : Plumage mainly brownish gray. Length : about 4| feet ; 
wing 24.50-27.00, bill 9.75-13.00, tarsus 11.25-12.50. 

Distribution. — Tropical America ; north casually to southern Texas. 

FAMILY ARDEIDiE: HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail feathers 10, short and very soft. 

2. Plumage mainly striped Botaurus, p. 73. 

2'. Plumage not mainly striped, back black or brown . Ardetta, p> 74. 
1'. Tail feathers 12, normal. 



HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS 



73 



2. Bill long and slender, five times as long as depth at base. 

Ardea, p. 74. 
2'. Bill short and stout, less than four times as long as depth at base. 

Nycticorax, p. 77. 

GENUS BOTAURUS. 
190. Botaurus lentiginosus {Montag.). American Bittekn. 
Sexes alike and young very similar to adults ; feathers lax and coarse ; 





U-^ Fig. 84. 

upper parts broadly striped with dusky on buff ; crown and streak along 
jaw blackish ; throat and under parts creamy buff, striped with brown. 
Length : 24-34, wing 9.80-12.00, bill 2.50-3.20, 
tarsus 3.10-3.85. 

Distribution. — Temperate North America, 
and south to Guatemala, breeding in suitable loca- 
tions over most of the United States. 

Nest. — On the ground, usually in marshes ; 
made of stems of grass, rushes, weeds, or sticks. 
Eggs : 3 to 6, brownish drab. 

Over most of the United States the boom- 
ing of the bittern is a familiar sound from 
the marshes. The deep ump-itp, ump-up, Fig. 85. 

ump-up, has suggested such names as prairie pump, thunder pumper, 
and stake driver, and the gurgling tone has very naturally led to 
the belief that the call was produced with the bill under water. In 
reality it is the love-song and call-note of the breeding season, pro- 
duced by inflating the throat and emitting the air with a gulping 
motion and the familiar booming sound. The skin of the neck 
becomes much thickened and of a gelatinous texture, as in the necks 
of the various grouse that boom, so that it serves as an elastic bel- 
lows. On a still spring morning the sound carries far over the 
marshes and to human ears gives little clue to distance or direction. 
But its ventriloquism is not the bittern's only protection. If the 
sound is successfully followed up and the bird actually seen, he may 



74 HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS 

not be discovered. Standing in the high grass or rushes, at your 
step he points his bill to the sky as if turned to stone, his striped 
coat harmonizing so well with the straight lines of the surrounding 
vegetation that he is often passed by for a stick. His throat is 
his most protectively colored part, and it is said that if you walk 
around him he will turn as you do, so as to keep facing you. If 
discovered and flushed he will jump into the air with awkward 
haste and sometimes a startled squack. His flight would be heron- 
like but for the quicker strokes given by his smaller wings. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS ARDETTA. 

191. Ardetta exilis (GmeL). Least Bittern. 

Size very small, sexes and young' different. Adult male : back, crown, 
rump, and tail greenish black ; back of neck and patch on wing chestnut ; 
throat and under parts light buff, with two dusky spots on breast. Adult 
female : back mainly chestnut, and buff of under parts striped with dusky. 
Young : like female, but brown feathers of back tipped with buff. Length : 
12.00-14.25, wing 4.30-5.25, bill 1.60-1.90, tarsus 1.50-1.75. 

Distribution. — Temperate North America, north to southern Oregon 
and the British Provinces, and south to the West Indies and Brazil. 

Nest. — Usually in tall grass or rushes, a little above the ground or water, 
made of grass and rush stems. Eggs : 3 to 6, bluish white. 

The slender, dainty least bittern is mainly a bird of the marshes. 
Like the bittern, it avoids the trouble of flying whenever it can by 
making a bold bluff, and when it strikes its attitude may easily be 
mistaken for one of the yellow tule stems or dry cat-tails. Some- 
times it eludes you by stealthy retreat, for it is almost rail-like in 
its manner of creeping under the grass and rushes. When the water 
is too deep to wade in, it walks by grasping the protruding stems. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS ARDEA. 

General Characters. — Legs and neck long and slender ; bill slender, 
straight, and sharp ; crown, throat, or back with plumes or crests in 
adults. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Plumage entirely white. 

2. Adult with long plumes on back only egretta, p. 75. 

2'. Adult with long plumes on crown, neck, and back. 

candidissima, p. 75. 
] '. Plumage mainly blue, or brown and green ; sometimes white in ccerulea. 
2. Color mainly bluish gray or slaty. 
3. Size large, wing over 17. 

4. Lighter, upper parts bluish gray .... herodias, p. 75. 

4'. Darker, upper parts slaty fannini, p. 75. 

S'.Size small, wing under 11 ; young, and sometimes adults, white. 

cserulea, p. 76. 



HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS 75 

2'. Color mainly dark green or slaty and brown. 
3. Body dark green. 

4. Neck dark chestnut vireacens, p. 76. 

4'. Neck light chestnut anthonyi, p. 77. 

3'. Body slaty ; neck cinnamon , rufescens, p. 76. 

Subgenus Ardea. 

194- Ardea herodias -Linn Great Blue Heron. 

Adults. — Upper parts bluish gray ; top of head white, bordered by 
black and with black occipital crest ; shoulders black, striped with white ; 
under parts heavily streaked with black and white ; thighs and edge of 
wings cinnamon brown. In breeding season : crest with two or more slender 
white plumes. Young : whole crown and crest black ; wing coverts without 
white or rufous spots. Length : 42-50, wing 17.90-19.85, bill 4.30-6.25, 
tarsus 6-8. 

Distribution. — North America, except northwest coast, from Hudson 
Bay and Alaska south to Venezuela. 

Nest. — Usually in tall swamp trees, but sometimes on rocks or the 
ground, a wide platform of sticks with little lining. Eggs : 3 to 6, dull 
greenish blue. 

The blue cranes or great blue herons are common along river 
banks, lake shores, and marshes all over the United States, and are 
everywhere known both by their stilted pose as they stand in shallow 
water watching for fish, and by their heavy flight as they move evenly 
along with crooked neck and big slowly flapping wings. 

194a. A. h. fannini Chapm. Northwest Coast Heron. 

Similar to herodias, but with shorter tarsus and darker plumage, the 
upper parts being bluish slaty black instead of bluish gray ; tibiae more 
feathered. Wing : 17.50, tarsus 5.38, culmen 5.90. 

Distribution. — Queen Charlotte and Vancouver Islands and coast region 
of British Columbia. 

Subgenus Herodias. 

196. Ardea egretta Gmel. Egret. 

Plumage always pure white. Adult in nuptial plumage : scapular plumes 
of dissected filamentose feathers covering back and reaching well beyond 
end of tail ; head and neck without crests or long feathers ; feet and legs 
black; bill yellow, usually blackish near tip. Post-breeding plumage and 
young : back without plumes. Length : 37-41, wing 14.10-16.80, bill 4.20- 
4.90 ; tarsus 5.50-6.80. 

Distribution. — Southern United States and south to Patagonia ; north 
irregularly to Oregon, Minnesota, and Nova Scotia. 

Nest. — In trees or bushes, near water. Eggs : 3 to 5, pale bluish. 

The egret, one of the most beautiful of our birds, has been almost 
exterminated for its plumes, which are used in millinery as aigrettes. 

Subgenus Garzetta. 

197. Ardea candidissima Gmel. Snowy Heron. 

Plumage always pure white. Adults in nuptial plumage : scapulars 
with long plumes of dissected filamentose feathers reaching beyond tail 
and recurved at tip ; head and throat crested ; feet yellow, legs black ; 



76 HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS 

bill black, with yellow base. Post-breeding plumage and young : back with- 
out plumes. Length : 20.00-27.25, wing- 8.20-10.50, bill 2.08-3.65, tarsus 
3.15-4.50. 

Distribution. — Approximately the whole United States, and south to 
Argentina, South Anaerica. 

Although widely distributed, the snowy heron is generally a rare 
bird. Throughout most of the western United States only an occa- 
sional wanderer is found. 

Subgenus Dichromanassa. 
198. Ardea rufescens Gmel. Reddish Egret. 

Adults. — Feathers of head, sides of neck, and lower part of throat long 
and lanceolate ; scapular plumes extending beyond end of tail and with 
fine dissected filaments ; color plain slaty, with cinnamon or vinaceous 
rufous head and neck. Young : plain grayish, tinged here and there with 
rusty. Length: 27-32, wing 11.90-13.60, bill 3.30-4.00, tarsus 4.90-5.75. 

Distribution. — Cuba, Jamaica, and Mexico, from Guatemala north to 
Lower California, the Gulf states, and southern Illinois. One record for 
Colorado. 

Subgenus Florida, 

200. Ardea caerulea Linn. Little Blue Heron. 

Adults. — Plumes on crown, back, and breast long and narrow ; head and 
neck chestnut or maroon ; rest of plumage dark slaty blue ; plumage 
sometimes partly or mainly white, with bluish tips to quills. Young: 
without elongated plumes ; mainly white with a tinge of blue on quills. 
Length: 20.00-29,50, wing 9.00-10.60, bill 2.70-3.30, tarsus 3,15-4.00. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States from New Jersey and Maine west 
to Nebraska and San Angelo, Texas ; south to northern South America, 

The little blue heron breeds in Tropical and Lower Sonoran zones, 
and after the breeding season wanders north, sometimes as far as 
Nebraska. 

Subgenus Butorides. 

201. Ardea virescens Linn. Green Heron. 

Bill longer than tarsus, crown and back with long, lanceolate, but not 

dissected plumes. 
Adults : crown and 
crest, tail, and most 
of wings dark green ; 
scapular plumes blu- 
ish green ; sides of 
neck rich dark chest- 
nut ; belly dusky. 
Young : similar to 
-dults, but with 
^^S- ^^- .scapular plumes 

shorter and darker 
green ; most of quills tipped with white and under parts coarsely streaked. 
Length: 15.50-22.50, wing 6.30-8.00, bill 2,00-2.55, tarsus 1.75-2.15. 

Distribution. — Oregon and Ontario southward to West Indies and Vene- 
zuela. 





BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON 



HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS 77 

Nest. — On branches of trees and bushes near water ; loosely made of 
sticks and lined with leafy twigs. Eggs : 3 to 6, light bluish green. 

The green heron, -with other mainly nocturnal herons, lives in 
woody swamps, bogs, or sedgy marshes, and often hunts along 
streams and ponds. When startled it flies up with a ' hollow gut- 
tural scream,' but soon lights on a stump or tree, looking around 
with craned neck. It lives largely on small fish, frogs, larvae, and 
grasshoppers, together with a variety of insects. 

201b. A. V. anthonyi Meams. Anthony Green Heron. 

Similar to virescens, but decidedly lighter colored ; sides of neck bright 
yellowish chestnut. Length : 19.10, wing 8.20, bill 2.35. 

Distribution. — Arid region of the southwestern United States, and 
south through Mexico ; north to Yreka, California. 

Anthonyi is a pale desert form of virescens, with only local modi- 
fications of habit. 

GENUS NYCTICOBAX. 

General Characters. — Bill comparatively short and stout ; head crested, 
and, in breeding plumage, with a few long white cord-like plumes from 
back of crown. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Crown black, cheeks and chin creamy white . . . naevius, p. 77. 
1'. Crown creamy white, cheeks and chin black . . violaceus, p. 78. 

Subgenus Nycticorax. 

202. Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius (Bodd.). Black- 
crowned Night Heron. 

Bill about as long as tarsus. Adults : crown and back black ; wings 
and tail ashy gray ; forehead and throat creamy white, shading into light 
gray of sides and under parts. Young : crown blackish, streaked with 
bufp ; back dusky gray, spotted and sti'iped, and quills tipped with buff ; 
neck and under parts coarsely striped Avith buff and dusky. Length : 23- 
26, wing 11.00-12.80, biU 2.80-3.10, tarsus 3.10-3.40. 

Distribution. — Most of South America and north to southern Canada ; 
breeding throughout its range and wintering from the southern United 
States southward. 

Nest. — Roughly made of reeds, rushes, or sticks placed on the ground 
among reeds, or on bushes or trees. JEggs : 3 to 6, dull bluish. 

The black-crowned is one of the commonest and most widely dis- 
tributed of our herons. Pairs or small flocks pass hurriedly over- 
head morning and evening, uttering now and then the harsh gut- 
tural ' squawk ' which gives them their commonest name. During 
the day you frighten them from their naps among the tules or reeds 
or from the leafy branches of the cottonwoods that overhang the 
streams ; and whether one or a dozen are aroused, each loudly re- 



78 CRANES 

peats its name. True to their more dignified appellation, the herons 
feed mainly at night, but they are seen on the wing occasionally dur- 
ing the day. 

Social at all times, they are especially so during the breeding 
season, nesting in small groups of three or four families to a tree, or 
in colonies numbering many thousands. The largest colonies usually 
have their nests on the ground, in tule swamps or reed patches, the 
^nests, which are only a few feet apart, covering many acres. 

Vernon Bailey, 

Subgenus Nyctanassa. 

203. Nycticorax violaceus {Linn.). Yellow -crowned Night 
Heron. 

Bill much shorter than tarsus ; back with long narrow plume -like 
feathers reaching beyond end of tail. Adults : crown and patch under 
eye creamy white ; sides of head and chin black ; rest of plumage bluish 
gray, striped with black and light gray on wings and back. Young: 
striped and mottled with brownish on back and belly. Length : 22-28, 
wing 10.50-12.65, bill 2..50-3.00, tarsus 3.10-4.20. 

Distribution. — Tropical America and north to the Carolinas and Colo- 
rado, and casually to Massachusetts and Maine ; south to Brazil. 

Nest. — In trees, a platform of sticks. Eggs : 4 to 6, dull bluish. 



ORDER PALUDICOL^ : CRANES, RAILS, ETC. 
FAMILY GRUIDiE: CRANES. 

GENUS GRUS. 

General Characters. — Size very large, hind toe short and elevated ; 
head partly naked, the warty skin covered with scattered bristly hairs. 

KEY to species. 

1. Crown and cheeks naked in adults ; plumage white. 

americana, p. 78. 
1'. Crown naked in adults, cheeks feathered ; plumage gray and brown. 

2. Larger, wing 21.00-22.50 mexicana, p. 79. 

2'. Smaller, wing 17.50-20.00 canadensis, p. 79. 

204. Grus americana (Linn.). Whooping Crane. 

Adults. — Plumage pure white except for black primaries and their cov- 
erts, and sometimes a slaty patch on back of head ; naked skin of crown, 
face, and cheeks with stiff black bristles. Young: mainly white, but 
more or less washed with brownish on upper parts ; head entirely feath- 
ered. Length: 50-54, wing 22-25, bill 5.35-5.80, tarsus 11-12. 

Distribution. — Interior of North America, breeding from Illinois west 
to Colorado ; north to Great Slave Lake, and migrating to central Mexico. 

Nest. — On ground, usually in marsh. Eggs : 2, olive or buffy, spotted 
with brown and gray. 



RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS 



79 



205. Grus canadensis (Linn.). Little Brown Crane. 

Like mexicana, but smaller. Length : 35, wing 17.50-20.00, bill .3.04- 
4.20, tarsus 6.70-8.44. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, breeding- from Hudson Bay 
and the arctic coast to Alaska ; south in winter through the interior 
United States to Mexico ; west to Colorado and British Columbia. 

206. Grus mexicana (Mull.). Sandhill Crane. 

Crown and lores naked except for scattered black bristles ; cheeks and 
jaw well feathered. Adults : whole plumage slaty gray 
or light brownish, wings darker; cheeks and throat 
lighter and sometimes whitish. Young : head entirely 
feathered ; plumage rusty brown. Length : 40-48, wing 
21.00-22..50, bill 5.1.5-6.00, tarsus 9.90-10.65. 

Distribution. — From southern Canada south to cen- 
tral Mexico and Florida; breeding from Canada to 
Arizona. Rare east except in Georgia and Florida. 

Nest. — A wide platform of flags and rushes in a 
marsh. Eggs : 2, olive buff, spotted with brown. 

On the big unfenced prairies and the treeless 
expanse of marsh where there is nothing to hide 
a lurking foe, you find the sandhill cranes, some- 
times in small migrating flocks but usually in 
pairs, stalking about in dignified but ever watch- 
ful manner, stretching up to nearly a man's 
height to survey the surrounding country, then 
stooping to probe the earth for worms, catch a 
distant grasshopper, or spear a luckless frog or 
minnow. Let an enemy appear in the distance, 
and the long necks are up, and one of the most 
powerful, far-reaching of bird-notes rings out with its alarm chal- 
lenge, a prolonged bugle -like cry, deeper and heavier than the 
loon's, and often heard a mile away. With a quick run the splendid 
birds mount on the wing, the bugle-notes resounding rhythmically 
with only the space of an inspiration between as they fly; and 
though their calls mellow in the distance, the cranes vanish as 
specks in the air before the sound of their magnificent voices is en- 
tirely lost. Vernon Bailey. 

FAMILY RALLIDiE : RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 




Fig. 87. 



KEY TO GENERA, 

1. Forehead entirely feathered down to base of bill. 

2. Bill long and slender, as long as or longer than tarsus . Rallus, p. 80. 

2'. Bill short and stout, about two thirds the length of tarsus. 

Porzana, p. 81. 
1'. Forehead covered by naked shield at base of bill. 

2. Toes deeply lobed along sides Fulica, p. 83. 

2'. Toes slender, without lobes Gallinula, p. 82. 



80 



RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS 



GENUS RALLUS. 
General Characters. — Bill slender, longer than tarsus ; sexes alike. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Size large, wing- over 5.50. 

2. Breast uniform deep cinnamon . . . . . . obsoletus, p. 80. 

2'. Breast pale cinnamon buff caribaeus, p. 80. 

1'. Size small, wing- not over 4.25 virginianus, p. 80. 

210. Rallus obsoletus Eidgtv. California Clapper Rail.i 
Upper parts olive C'ray, striped on back and wings with dark brown ; 

breast and throat plain cinnamon 
brown ; chin white ; flanks dusky, 
narrowly barred with white. 
Length: 17-18, wing 6.20-6.70, 
Fig. 8b. bill 2.25-2.50, tarsus 2.10-2.30. 

Distribution. — Salt marshes of 
the Pacific coast from Washington (?) to Lower California. 

Nest. — Usually in grass or tules at edge of slough or tide marsh, com- 
posed of dry grasses. Eggs: 6 to 12 (Henry Adams in The Condor, 1900, 
31). 

In Los Angeles County, Mr. Grinnell says, the clapper rails are 
tolerably common residents of the salt coast marshes. Their loud 
cackling notes are frequently heard, especially at high tide, when 
they are driven to the higher ground. 

[211.2.] Rallus longirostris caribseus Bidgw. Caribbean 
Clapper Rail. 

Under parts grayish, striped with darker ; throat whitish ; breast brown ; 
sides and flanks barred with broAvn or dusky and whitish. Wing : 5.76, 
bill 2.38, tarsus 2.02, middle toe 1.85. 

Distribution. — Lesser Antilles, Jamaica, and coast of southern Texas 
(Corpus Christi and Galveston). 

Nest. — A platform-like structure of dried grasses, sedges, etc., in tufts 
of grass or sedges, in marshes or ponds. Eggs : 6 to 15, white, buffy white, 
or brownish buff, sparingly spotted with rusty brown and purplish gray. 

212. Rallus virginianus Linn. Virginia Rail. 

Adults. — Upper parts olive brown, streaked 
with black; wing with a large chest- 
nut patch ; sides of head slaty gray, 
/ ^^^(^ lores blackish, and chin white ; throat 

and breast cinnamon brown ; flanks 
black, barred with white. Young : 
plumage much mottled with black, ^^j^ 

but chestnut wing patch always pre- *^ 6 
sent. Length : 8.12-10.50, wing 3.90- Fig. 90. 
4.25, bill 1.45-1.60, tarsus 1.30-1.40. 
_,. Q Distribution. — Temperate North America, 

'^* * from Hudson Bay and British Columbia south 

1 Rallus levipes Bangs. Like obsoletus, but smaller, bill more slender, and coloration 
darker. 
Distribution. — Southern California. Bull. N. Eng. Zool. Club, i. 1899, 45. 





RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS 81 

to Guatemala and Cuba, breeding over most of the United States and 
southern Canada. 

Nest. — In marsh, under shelter of tall grass, composed of dry j,x'ass. 
Eggs : 6 to 10, creamy white, spotted with brown and lilac. 

The Virginia rail is common in almost all suitable marshes, whether 
salt or fresh, throughout the United States, but like all of its short- 
winged kina it prefers a game of hide and seek to laborious flight, 
and is more often heard than seen. If you try to tramp one out of 
the marsh it will cackle and laugh on the right and then on the left 
of you, without ever showing itself ; but if you sit quietly on the 
bank of a grassy, reedy pond or stream where one lives, it will soon 
come peeking and peering at you between the stems. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS PORZANA. 

General Characters. — Bill decidedly shorter than tarsus ; sexes similar. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Back with narrow white streaks. 

2. Back streaked longitudinally with white . . . Carolina, p. 81. 

2'. Back cross-lined with white noveboracensis, p. 82. 

1'. Back without white streaks. 

2. Back finely dotted with white jamaicensis, p. 82. 

2'. Back without white markings coturniculus, p. 82. 

Subgenus Porzana. 
214. Porzana Carolina (Linn.). Carolina Rail: Sora. 

Adults. — Upper parts olive brown, spotted with black and finely lined 

rwith white ; middle of crown, face, and throat black ; breast 
and cheeks bluish gray, sides barred black and white ; belly 
whitish; middle of lower tail coverts buff. Immature: simi- 
lar to adult but without black face or bluish gray breast. 
Length : 7-85-9.75, wing 4.15-4.30, bill .75-90, tarsus 1.25- 
1.35. 
Distribution. — Temperate North America from Hudson 
Bay and British Columbia south to northern South America, 
F'ff 91 breeding over most of its United States and Canadian range. 

Nest. — Usually on tussock in marsh, made of dry grasses 
or sedges. Eggs : usually 7 to 10, but sometimes 14 to 16, grayish olive, 
spotted with reddish brown and purplish. 

Carolina rails are the commonest of their family over the eastern 
and middle United States, or at least, being more commonly meadow 
birds, are oftener seen than the other species ; but in the west they 
are less common than the Virginia rail. To avoid flying, when their 
field is being mowed they will often stay in the fast narrowing strip 
of grass until they must go or meet the sharp teeth of the sickle, 
when perhaps a dozen will rise one after another and fly to fresh 
cover. 




82 RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS 

In the wild rice fields, I have frequently watched them walking 
daintily over the leaves and floating stems, swimming across the nar- 
row channels where they could not wade, and running in and out of 
the thousand little trails that lead about under the grass ; and have 
often clapped my hands to hear them answer back with their mock- 
ing, cackling laugh. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Coturnicops, . 

215. Porzana noveboracensis (6?me/.). Yellow Rail. 

Upper parts dark buff, mottled with brown and black, feathers of back 

narrowly tipped with white in wavy cross-lines ; wing 

dusky, with large white patch on secondaries ; throat 

and breast plain buff or brownish ; middle of belly 

whitish. Length : 6.00-7.75, wing 3.00-3.60, bill 

Fig. 92. ..50-.60, tarsus .80-100. 

Distribution. — North America from Hudson Bay and Nova Scotia south 

to Cuba, and west to Nevada and California. 

Nest. — In marsh, made of dry grass. Eggs : 6 to 10, creamy buff, finely 
specked with rusty brown. 

In habits the yellow rail is much like the Carolina, but may readily 
be distinguished from it even on the wing by its smaller size and 
white wing patch. It is never a common bird. 

Subgenus Creciscus. 

216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). Black Rail. 

Adults. — Back and wings brownish black, finely dotted with white; 
shoulders dark rich chestnut ; breast, throat, 
and sides of head deep plumbeous, shading to 
black on crown ; flanks and ventral region 
specked and barred with white. Young : simi- 
lar to adults but with grayish breast, whitish ^S- - 

throat, and brownish crown. Length : 5-6, wing 2.50-3.20, bill .50-.60, 
tarsus .85-. 90. 

Distribution. — From Oregon, Nebraska, and Massachusetts south through 
the West Indies and the greater part of South America. 

216.1. Porzana coturniculus (Ridgw.). Fakallone Rail. 

Size and general characters oi jamaicensis, but back without white mark- 
ings. 

Known only from the type specimen from the Farallone Islands. 

GENUS GAIiIilNULA. 

219. Gallinula galeata (Licht.). Florida Gallinule. 

Toes long and slender, not lobed ; bill slender and sharp, nearly as long 

as head ; frontal shield extend- 
ing from bill to crown, widest 
posteriorly ; bill and shield 
bright red. Adults in summer : 
^^S- 94- dark slaty or plumbeous, washed 






RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS 83 

with brownish on back, and shading- through darker on 
neck to blackish on head ; edge of wings, lateral under 
tail coverts, and streaks on flanks white. Adults in win- 
ter : frontal plate smaller and belly suffused with white. 
Young : under parts, throat, and sides of head, whitish ; 
frontal plate rudimentary. Length : 12.00-14.50, wing 
6.85-7.25, bill (including shield) 1.70-1.80. 

Distribution. — Whole of tropical and temperate ' Fig. 95. 

America, from Brazil north to California and eastern Canada. 

Nest. — In tules or grass on edge of pond or wet marsh ; made of dry 
grass and tules. Eggs : S to 11, huffy white, thinly spotted with brown. 

The Florida gallinule is easily mistaken for a coot (FuUca), which 
it resembles in size and general appearance, but like the rails it is a 
bird of the shores and marshes, and although a good swimmer prefers 
to keep mainly out of sight in the grass and tules. 

GENUS FULICA. 

221. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coot: Mud Hen. 
Toes lobed or scalloped along edges ; bill stout, nearly as long- as 

head ; frontal shield narrow, end- 
ing- in a point on crown. Breeding 
plumage: bill white, with brown 
spot near end, frontal shield 
J.J gg brown ; whole head and neck 

blackish ; rest of body plum- 
beous except for white under tail coverts, edge of wing, 
and tips of middle wing- feathers. Winter plumage : 
belly whitish ; frontal shield smaller than in summer. 
Young : like winter adults, but with white of belly ex- 
tending- onto throat ; bill dull flesh color, frontal shield 
rudimentary. Length: 13-16, wing- 7.25-7.60, bill (to 
base of shield) 1.25-1.60. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America from Alaska ^^' ^^' 

and Greenland south to northern South America, West Indies, and Ber- 
mudas ; breeding from Texas northward. 

Nest. — Usually placed among tule stems on the water and built of dry 
tule and grass stems. Eggs : 8 to 12, creamy or huffy, finely specked with 
brown. 

The omnipresent coots are among the most social and garrulous of 
our inland water birds. They are good swimmers and often gather 
in large flocks in open water, but their preference is always for the 
grassy shores of shallow lakes, or open ponds surrounded by wild 
rice, tules, or flags. Here they dive in the shallow water, paddle 
along shore, or run over the rafts of floating plant stems in little 
chattering, laughing groups. When forced to fly they make a long 
run on the water and after much kicking and spattering finally get 
launched on the wing. 

Fortunately for them they are of little account as game birds and 
their plumage has no commercial value, so they will probably con- 
tinue abundant and tame. 




84 PHALAROPES 

According to Goss they feed on aquatic insects, snails, tender water 
plants, buds, blossoms, and seeds. Mr. Evermann has found them 
feeding largely on wild celery. In the north they gather by thou- 
sands in the rice lakes in fall and stay until driven south by cold 
weather, feeding on the rich grain as it falls, or is scattered out by 
their wings, and becoming excessively fat. Vernon Bailey. 

ORDER LIMICOL^ : SHORE BIRDS. 
(Families PnALAROPODiDiE, Recurvirostrid^, Scolopa- 
ciD^, Charadriid^, Aphrizid^, H^matopodid^, and 
Jacanid^.) 

FAMILY PHALAROPODIDiE : PHALAROPES. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Bill wide and flattened, toes half webbed and with scalloped 
margins Crymophilus, p. 84. 



-p- gg 1'. Bill slender and approximately cylindrical. 

2. Bill much longer than head, toes webbed at base, with 

straight margins Steganopus, p. 85. 

2'. Bill not longer than head, toes nearly half webbed, and with 
slightly scalloped margins . . . Phalaropus, p. 84. 

GENUS CRYMOPHILUS. 

222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). Red Phalarope. 

Bill about as long as head, flat, widest toward end. Adult male in sum- 
mer : back streaked with black and buff ; 
'^'^^^"'^^^^^ "^vi^g" bluish and dusky, crossed by a white 
band ; side of kead whitish ; under parts 
dark cinnamon brown. Adult female in 
summer : crown and face plumbeous or 
^^^' blackish, sides of head pure white. Adults 

in winter: head, neck, and under parts pure white, except for plumbeous 
on back of head and around eyes ; upper parts plain blue gray. Young : 
upper parts blackish, the feathers edged with yellowish ; under parts 
whitish, with dusky brown across breast. Length : 7.50-8.75, wing 5.25- 
5.50, bill .S0-.95. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere, breeding in arctic 

regions. In America south in winter to the middle of the United States 

and along the Pacific coast to Cape St. Lucas ; straggling to the Carolinas. 

Nest. — A slight depression in damp ground, usually without lining. 

Eggs : 3 to 4, heavily spotted with brown. 

GENUS PHALAROPUS. 
Subgenus Phalaropus. 

223. Phalaropus lobatus {Linn.). Northern Phalarope. 

Bill about as long as head, very slender and sharp; margins of toes 






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PHALAROPES 8^ 

scalloped ; wdng with white bar in all plumages. Male in breeding plu- 
mage : upper parts dark plumbeous, striped on back with 
butf and black ; sides of neck rufous ; chest gray ; upper 
throat and belly white. Female in hreeding plumage : brighter 
colored, rufous extending across throat as well as on sides of 
V'cr im neck. Fall and winter plumage : face, line over eye, and 
Northern under parts white ; line under eye, and back of head, dusky ; 
Phalarope. upper parts mainly gray. Young : like winter adults, but 
upper parts darker, striped with buff and black. Length : 7-8, wing 4.00- 
4.45. bill .80-.y0. 

Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemisphere ; in America, 
breeding from Alaska to Labrador and Greenland ; south in winter to 
Guatemala. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the ground near Avater ; lined with 
leaves and grass. Fggs : 4, bulEy or olive, irregularly spotted with dark 
browns. 

GBinJS STEGANOPUS. 

224. Steganopus tricolor Vieill. Wilson Phalarope. 

Bill slender, longer than head ; toes with straight-edged marginal mem- 
branes ; wing without white bar ; female larger and handsomer than male. 
Male in breeding plumage : crown and upper parts dusky, touched with 
brown ; sides of neck with a chestnut stripe ; throat and chest huffy ; 
stripe over eye, chin, and belly white. Female in breeding plumage : crown 
and back bluish gray ; black stripe along sides of head and neck shading 
into rich chestnut along lower neck and shoulders ; chest and lower part of 
throat delicate cinnamon buff ; upper part of throat, belly, and line over 
eye white. Adults in winter plumage : upper parts plain gray, chest and 
sides of breast grayish ; rest of under parts white. Young : upper parts 
dusky, streaked with light cinnamon ; under parts white, with tinge of 
cinnamon across breast. Female : length 9.40-10.00, wing 5.20-5.30, bill 
1.30-1.35, tarsus 1.30-1.35, Male: length 8.25-9.00, wmg 4.75-4.80, bill 
1.25, tarsus 1.20-1.25. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Quebec ; 
south in winter to Brazil and Patagonia ; breeding from Illinois, Colorado, 
and Kansas northward, mainly in the interior. 

Nest. — On ground, in slight excavation ; lined with grass. Eggs : 3 or 
4, creamy, buff or drab, spotted with dark brown. 

There is not among all our waders a more dainty, exquisitely 
colored bird than the Wilson phalarope, with its warm, richly blended 
tints, trim form, and soft plumage. You find it in small flocks, 
swimming on the ponds like tiny ducks, or sandpiper-like picking 
about on the muddy shores. Should you enter its marshy breeding 
grounds it will fly anxiously about your head with a low ' croaking ' 
note, threatening and coaxing to get you away from its nest and 
young. 

Like the other phalaropes the female is larger and brighter colored 
than the male and is said to leave most of the incubation and care of 
the young to her more protectively colored mate. 

Vernon Bailey. 




'86 AVOCETS AND STILTS 



FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDiE : AVOCETS AND 
STILTS. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Bill strongly curved upward toward end, hind toe present but minute ; 

front toes half webbed Recurvirostra, p. 86. 

r. Bill scarcely or not at all curved upwards, hind toe wanting-, only a 

small web between outer and middle toes . Himantopus, p. 86. 

GENUS RECUR VIROSTKA. 

225. Recurvirostra americana Gmel Avocet. 

Bill black, feet and legs bluish. Adults in summer plumage : head, neck, 

chest, and shoulders light 
cinnamon, shading into 
whitish around base of 
bill ; under parts, rump, 
and large patches on 
wing white ; primaries, 
base of wing, and half of 
scapulars black. Adults 
ir '^' • in winter plumage : cinna- 

mon of head, neck, and chest replaced by grayish white. Young : like 
winter adults, but quills and scapulars tipped with whitish, and back of 
neck tinged with bufPy. Length : 15.50-18.75, wing 8.50-9.00, bill 3.40- 
3.65, tarsus 3.70-3.80. 

Distribution. — Temperate North America, breeding from Texas to 
Saskatchewan ; south in winter to Guatemala and West Indies. Not com- 
mon east of the plains. 

Nest. — In grass near water, made of grass stems. Eggs : 3 or 4, pale 
olive or buffy, thickly spotted with varying shades of brown. 

Whether flying, walking, or swimming, the avocet is one of the 
most conspicuous of our waders. Its long legs and neck, and strong 
black and white markings distinguish it from all others even when 
its turned-up bill is invisible. Its favorite haunts are the shores of 
shallow alkaline lakes and ponds on the plains and in the western 
valleys. Small flocks are often seen wading in water nearly up to 
their feathers, rapidly picking up the small insects that gather on 
the surface. When the water becomes too deep for wading they 
swim freely, but do not usually go far from shore. They are seen 
occasionally feeding in a marsh or irrigated meadow, and in July 
I have found downy young hiding in the short grass just back from 
the lake shore. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS HIMANTOPUS. 

226. Himantopus mexicanus {Mull). Black-necked Stilt. 
Bill black, feet and legs pinkish. Adult male : back of head and neck, 

shoulders, and wings greenish black ; tail gray ; rest of plumage white, 
breast tinged with dull pinkish in breeding plumage. Adult female: like 




m 



BLACK-NECKED STILT 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 87 

male, but black duller, or slaty. Young : similar to adult female, but 
feathers of back bordered with buffy, and blackish of head and neck mot- 
tled with buffy. Length : 13.50-15.50, wing- 8.50-9.00, bill 2.50, tarsus 4. 

Distribution. — The United States, luainly in the western interior, and 
southward to Brazil and Peru ; north casually to Minnesota and New 
Brunswick. Breeds from southern Texas to Oregon. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the sand or on wet ground ; or eggs laid 
in a bunch of dry grass. Eggs : 3 to -i, buff or olive brown, thickly spotted 
with dark brown. 

In spite of its apparently extravagant length of legs the black- 
necked stilt is a graceful, well-balanced bird, whether stepping 
daintily over the grass tops, wading in half a foot of water, swim- 
ming when beyond its depth, or flying with head drawn back and 
legs straight out behind. As the birds alight they raise their black 
pointed wings over their white body a moment, assuming a pose 
that is not only strikingly beautiful but doubtless an important 
directive and recognition signal. Sometimes when quietly feeding 
one will lift its wings in this way, without apparent reason. 

Much of the stilt's food is gleaned from the surface of the shallow 
water or from plant stems rising from it, and its reason for prefer- 
ing the flooded marsh to the open pond is presumably the greater 
abundance of minute insect life found among the aquatic plants. 

Vernon Bailey. 



FAMILY SCOLOPACIDiE : SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

KEV TO GENERA. 

1. Back of tarsus covered with hexagonal scales . Numenius, p. 101 
1'. Back of tarsus with a row of transverse scutellae. 

2. Ears anterior to eyes, thighs wholly feathered . Philohela, p. 88 
2'. Ears posterior to eyes or directly under them. 

3. Ears directly under eyes, lower part of thighs naked. 

4. Crown and back broadly striped .... Gallinago, p. 88 
4'. Crown and back mottled, not striped. 

Macrorhamphus, p. 89 
3'. Ears posterior to eyes. 

4. Hind toe wanting Calidris, p. 94, 

4'. Hind toe present. 

5. No trace of web between toes. 

6. Bill longer than middle toe and claw . . Tringa, p. 90. 
6'. Bill shorter than middle toe and claw . Tryngites, p. 100, 
5'. A distinct web between middle and one or both lateral toes. 
6. Tail much graduated, about half as long as wing. 

Bartramia, p. 99 
6'. Tail not much graduated, not nearly half as long as wing. 

7. Bill longer than tail Limosa, p. 95, 

7'. Bill shorter than tail. 

8. Bill distinctly widened and roughened at tip. 

Micropalama, p. 90 



88 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

8'. Bill not distinctly widened and roughened at tip. 

9. Wing less than 4 Ereunetes, p. 93. 

9'. Wing over 4. 

10. Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. 

11. Wing under 4.60 .... Actitis, p. 100. 
11'. Wing over 6.50 . . . Heteractitis, p. 98. 
10'. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. 
11. Wing with large white patch. 

Symphemia, p. 98. 
11'. Wing without white patch. 

12. Upper tail coverts white . Totanus, p. 96. 
12'. Upper tail coverts dusky. 

Helodromas, p. 97. 

GENUS PHILOHELA. 

228. Philohela minor (GmeL). American Woodcock. 

Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved and roughened toward end, 
tip of upper overlapping the under ; nostril small at edge of feathers ; 
three outer quills abruptly narrowed. 

Upper parts grayish brown, mottled with black ; back of head black, 
with narrow cross-bars of buffy ; under parts rich buff, darker on throat. 
length : 10.50-11.75, wing 4.80-5.70, bill 2.50-2.75, tarsus 1.25. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States north to Canada, west to Rocky 
Mountains in Colorado ; breeds throughout its range. 

Nest. — On ground in wooded bottoms, usually by a log or stump, made 
of leaves and grass, ^ygs : 3 or 4, grayish to buffy white, spotted with 
reddish brown. 

Dr. A. K. Fisher says : "This much sought game bird is in dan- 
ger of extermination from the barbarous custom of hunting it in 
spring and summer, just before and during the breeding season." 

GENUS GALIilNAGO. 
230. GallinagO delicata (Ore/). Wilson Snipe: Jack Snipe. 
Bill long and slender, mandibles grooved, roughened, and widened 
toward end ; tip of upper overreaching the 
lower mandible ; nostril small and At edge 
of feathers. 

Crown buff, with side stripes of black ; 
back mainly black with stripes falling into 
two middle lines of buff and two outer lines 
of whitish : neck and breast spotted and 
streaked with buff, brown, and dusky ; sides 
barred with black and white ; belly white. 
Length: 10.50-11.15, wing 4.90-5.60, bill 
2.50-2.70, tarsus 1.20-1.30. 

Distribution. — North America, and south 
in winter to northern South America, breed- 
Fig. 102. ing from Colorado and Utah to north of the 
Arctic Circle. 
Nest. — A gi'ass-lined cavity in marshy ground, ^ggs : 3 or 4, grayish 
olive, spotted and streaked with brown and black. 

The plump jack snipe with the striped back is a prober rather 
than a wader, as his short legs and long bill attest. He pokes about 




SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 89 

in the muddy bottoms, under grass, flags, and tules, fishing up his 
food from the soft mud, the sensitive tip of his long bill enabling 
him to select the choicest worms and other dainty morsels. 

He is a common bird wherever there are marshes to his taste, and 
most country folk are familiar with his song. On warm summer 
evenings or cloudy days before a storm he mounts high in air and 
with rapidly vibrating wings produces a prolonged whirr that in- 
creases to a diminutive roar, and repeats it every minute or two for 
sometimes half an hour. At other times he flies low over the grass, 
uttering a guttural chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck-cfiuck, and then drops 
out of sight. His common, all-the -year-round note is a nasal squank, 
uttered as he springs from the ground at your feet and makes ofl: in 
quick zigzags. 

The only excuse for considering so small a bird game is his swift 
irregular flight, which saves him from all but the expert wing shot. 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS MACRORHAMPHUS. 

General Characters. — Bill similar to that of Gallinago ; lower part of 
back white, rump spotted black and white ; tail finely cross-barred with 
black, buff, and white. 

KEY to summer adults. 

1. Belly rich cinnamon brown scolopaceus, p. 89. 

r. Belly white or buff y griseus, p. 89, 

231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.) Dowitcher. 

Similar to scolopaceus but smaller and adults in summer distinguished 
by whitish belly and dusky specking- of sides and breast. Length : 10-11, 
wing 5.25-5.90, bill 2.00-2.55, tarsus 1.20-1.50. Female decidedly larger 
than male. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding far north ; south in 
winter to Brazil ; west as stragglers (?) to Idaho and Oregon. 

232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). Long-billed Dow- 

itcher. 

Adults in summer. — A light stripe over eye and dusky stripe from eye 
to bill ; upper parts, except rump and 
lower back, specked and mottled with 
black, brown, and buff; rump white, 
spotted with black, tail feathers barred 
black and white ; entire under parts ■^*^- ^^^' 

bright cinnamon specked on throat and barred on sides and lower tail cov- 
erts with dusky. Adults in winter: belly and line over eye white ; rest 
of plumage gray. Young : similar to adults but back and crown mottled 
with black and ochraceous ; belly and chest suffused with light cinnamon. 
Length: 11.00-12.50, wing 5.40-6.00, bill 2.10-3.00, tarsus 1.35-1.75. 

Distribution. — Western North America, breeding in British Columbia 
and Alaska ; migrating south through western United States and Missis- 
sippi valley to northern South America ; less common in eastern United 
States. 




90 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

Nest. — A depression in the moss or grass, sometimes at considerable 
distance from water. Eggs : 4, greenish olive to light clay color, spotted 
with dark umber brown. 

By some ornithologists scolojmceus is considered merely a western 
subspecies of griseus, with intergrades between and probably a con- 
tinuous breeding range across the arctic regions. In winter plum- 
age the main difference is one of size, but as the females of both 
species are larger than the males only birds of the same sex should 
be compared. 

In their migrations over the United States the long-billed dow- 
itchers are usually found in little flocks along the coasts or among 
the prairie sloughs or marshes, flying swiftly low over the ground, 
or feeding in close bunches. Unfortunately they are considered 
legitimate game, and although wild and ever on the alert fall an easy 
prey to the pot-hunter. 

For an interesting account of their habits on their breeding 
grounds, see Nelson's Birds of Alaska. Vernon Bailey. 

GENTJS MICROPALAMA. 

233. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.). Stilt Sandpiper. 
Bill long and slender, conspicuously widened and roughened at tip ; toes 
webbed at base, legs long and slender. 
Adults in sujnmer : upper parts mottled 
with dusky, black, buff, and brown ; up- 
per tail coverts white, barred with dusky ; 
ear coverts and stripe along side of crown 
'^' ■ rusty brown ; under parts thickly barred 

and mottled with dusky, buff, and white. Adults in winter: upper parts 
plain ashy gray, under parts including tail coverts white, specked on 
sides ; throat and tail coverts marked with gray. ' Young : back browner, 
belly plain buffy, tail coverts nearly pure white. Length : 7.50-9.25, wing 
5.00-5.30, bill 1.55-1.75, tarsus 1.55-1.70. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding north of the United 
States ; south in winter to Central and South America ; west to Colorado 
and Wyoming. 

Goss, in his Birds of Kansas, says: "I have met with this rare 
species in the state on several occasions, at all times in small flocks 
and along the edges of old channels of rivers or muddy pools of 
water in which it wades while feeding." 

GENUS TRINGA. 

General Characters. — Toes slender, without webs at base ; bill slender 
and narrow, tip hard and smooth. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Middle pair of tail feathers not longer than others . canutus, p. 91 
1'. Middle pair of tail feathers sharp and longer than the others. 



-^^ i£. 




SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 91 

2. Bill nearly twice as long- as middle toe and claw . pacifica, p. 93. 
2'. Bill shorter or but little longer than middle toe and claw. 

3. Upper tail coverts white, slightly streaked . fuscicollis, p. 92. 
3'. Upper tail coverts blackish. 

4. Wing over 5 maculata, p. 91. 

4'. Wing under 5. 

5. Wing 4.80-4.90 . bairdii, p. 92. 

5'. Wing 3.50-3.75 minutilla, p. 92. 

Subgenus Tringa. 
234. Tringa canutus Linn. Knot. 

The only species of Tringa in which the middle pair of tail feathers are 
not decidedly longer than the rest. Adults 
in summer: upper parts grayish and 
dusky, tinged with buff ; rump and up- 
per tail coverts white, barred and spotted 
with dusky ; line over eye and most of Fig. 105. 

under parts pale cinnamon ; flanks and 

under tail coverts white. Adults in winter : upper parts plain gray ; under 
parts, rump, and tail coverts white, barred or streaked with dusky except 
on belly and under tail coverts. Young : like adults in winter but gray 
feathers of back edged with whitish and dusky, and breast often suffused 
with huffy. Length: 10-11, wing 6.50, tail 2.50, bill 1.40. 

Distribution. — Northern hemisphere, chiefly on the seaeoasts ; south in 
winter nearly through the southern hemisphere ; breeding far north. 

Eggs. — Deposited in a tuft of grass ; 4, light pea green specked with 
brown. 

The knot is rare inland and apparently less common along the 
Pacific than on the Atlantic coast. It is a beach bird, getting its 
food from the wash of the waves. 

Subgenus Actodromas. 
239. Tringa maculata Vieill. Pectoral Sandpiper. 

Bill longer than tarsus ; middle pair of tail feathers pointed and longer 
than the rest ; shaft of outer quill only, 
pure white ; rump, upper coverts, and mid- 
dle tail feathers, black. Adults : upper 
parts mottled dusky, black, and huffy ; 
chest dark gray, finely streaked with ■^'^' ^^'^^ 

dusky ; chin and belly white. Young : similar to adults, but upper parts 
striped with ochraceous, brightest on edges of tertials and tail feathers ; 
chest huffy, finely streaked with dusky. Length : 8.00-9.50, wing 5.00- 
5.50, bill 1.10-1.20, tarsus 1.00-1.10. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America, the West Indies, and most of 
South America, breeding in arctic regions. Occasional in Europe. 

Nest. — On dry ground, in the grass. Eggs : 4, greenish drab, spotted 
with brown. 

The pectoral sandpiper is a common migrant in the eastern United 
States and the Mississippi valley, but less common westward. It is 
found in flocks, on the marshes and muddy flats rather than along 
the beaches. 




92 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

240. Tringa f USCicoUis Vieill. Bonaparte Sandpiper : Whitb- 

RUMPED {Sandpiper. 
Rump dusky, the feathers tipped with buffy ; upper tail coverts pure 
white or slightly streaked with dusky. Adults in summer : upper parts 
buffy and gray, broadly streaked on crown and 
back with black ; chest and sides ashy g'ray, 
__^^^^ streaked with dusky ; faint line over eye, chin, 

'FiT'loT ^"^ belly white. Adults in winter : upper parts, 

sides, and chest dark gray, obscurely streaked 
with dusky. Young : similar to adults, but feathers of upper parts exten- 
sively marg-ined with rusty, and chest tinged with buffy. Length : 6.75- 
S.OO, wing 4.90-5.00, bill .1)0-1.00, tarsus .95-1.00. 

Distribution. — Breeding in the far north and migrating south over 
eastern North America and South America to Falkland Islands ; west to 
Colorado. Casual in Europe. 

241. Tringa bairdii (Coues). Baird Sandpiper. 

Middle upper tail coverts plain dusky. Adults in summer : upper parts 

spotted and streaked with black, grayish, and buify ; chest buffy, streaked 

with dusky ; line over eye, chin, and belly whitish. 

Adults in ivinter : plain grayish brown, obscurely 

streaked with dusky ; under parts whitish, chest 

Fig. 108. suffused with buffy. Young : feathers of back 

tipped with whitish, and chest less sharply streaked 

with dusky than in summer adult. Length : 7.00-7.60, wing 4.60-4.85, bill 

.90-1.00, tarsus 1.00. 

Distribution. — Most of North and South America. In North America, 
chiefly the interior, breeding in Alaska and on the Barren Grounds. Rare 
on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground, lined with leaves. Eggs : 4, light 
drab, specked and spotted with brown. 

During migrations Baird sandpipers are common usually in small 
flocks along the shores of lakes and ponds over the western prairie 
country. 

242. Tringa minutilla Vieill. Least Sandpiper. 

Size very small, wing- less than 4. Adults in summer : median parts of 
tail, upper coverts, and rump black ; sides of coverts white, streaked 
with dusky ; rest of upper parts mainly blackish, 
specked and spotted with brown and buff ; chest 
buffy gray, specked with dusky ; belly and flanks 
Fig. 109. white. Adults in winter : upper .parts dark gray, 

obscurely spotted and streaked with dusky ; chest 
light gray, finely streaked. Youyig : crown and back heavily streaked with 
rusty, and back spotted with white ; chest buffy gray, faintly streaked. 
Length : 5.00-6.75, wing- 3.50-3.75, bill .75-.92, tarsus .*75. 

Distribution. — The whole of North and South America, wintering from 
the Gulf of Mexico south, breeding- mainly north of the United States. 
Accidental in Europe. 

Nest. — On the ground, a slight depression lined with leaves and g-rass. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, creamy buff to drab, irregularly spotted with bro"wn. 

The least sandpipers are common, especially during migrations, 
over a great part of the United States. A few remain in Dakota 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 93 

through the summer, probably breeding, and in winter the birds are 
not uncommon on the coast prairies of Texas. They go in close 
flocks, whether feeding among the larger waders on the shores and 
mud flats, or wheeling and circling in air on fast buzzing wings. 
They are nervous, active little birds, always on the move and quick 
to take alarm. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Pelidna. 

243a. Tringa alpina pacifica (Cones). Red-backed Sandpdper. 

Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw ; bill longer than tarsus, slightly 
curved; middle of wing with a large white patch. Adults in summer: 
crown, back, and upper tail coverts bright rusty 
ochraceous, more or less spotted or streaked 
with black ; middle of belly black ; chest gray- 
ish white, thickly streaked with dusky ; sides ^T*™ iia 
and back part of belly white. Adults in winter : 

upper parts plain ashy gray, obscurely streaked with dusky ; chest light 
gray, more or less streaked with dusky ; rest of under parts, sides of rump, 
and upper tail coverts white. Young : like adults in winter but upper 
parts spotted and streaked with black and ochraceous, and breast coarsely 
spotted with black. Length: 7.60-8.75, wing 4.60-4.95, bill 1.40-1.75, 
tarsus 1.00-1.15. 

Distribution. — North America and eastern Asia, breeding far north and 
wintering in California, the Gulf States, and southward. 

Nest. — A bed of dry grass. Eggs : 3 or 4, pale greenish to pale brown- 
ish clay color, spotted with dull chocolate and dark brown. 

The red-backed sandpiper is common in migrations or in winter 
along the coasts of the United States, but is rarely seen in the inte- 
rior. The breeding plumage marked by rusty back and black belly 
is sometimes acquired before the birds leave the United States for 
their northern breeding grounds, but the winter plumage is the more 
common dress up to the first of May. 

GENUS EREUNETES. 

General Characters, — Toes distinctly webbed at base ; bill slightly 
widened and flattened at tip. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

]. Bill shorter than tarsus pusillus, p. 98. 

1'. Bill as long as or longer than tarsus .... occidentalis, p. 94. 

246. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Semipai^mated Sandpiper. 

Adults in summer. — Upper parts dusky and black, streaked with gray 
and pale buff ; chest light gray, finely streaked ; chin, 
belly, and sides white. Adults in winter: upper parts 
dull gray, obscurely streaked with dusky ; xinder 
parts white tinged with gray across chest. Young: Fig. 111. 

back spotted with black, and scalloped and streaked 
with buff and white; chest tinged with gray; rest of under parts whitish. 




94 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

Male : length 6, wing 3.65-3.90, bill .68-.75, tarsus .80-.90. Female : length 
6.40, wing 3.85-4.00, bill .80-.92, tarsus .85-.95. 

Distribution. — Breeding from Labrador to Alaska, migrating through 
the eastern and middle United States as far west as the Rocky Mountains 
and Utah ; south to the West Indies and northern South America. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the ground, lined with grass and leaves. 
Eggs : usually 4, light drab, spotted with brown. 

The semipalinated sandpiper is generally less common than the 
least, which it resembles in habits, general appearance, and small 
size, but from which it can always be distinguished by the webbed 
base of its toes. 

247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. Western Sandpiper. 
Adults in summer. — Ear coverts and upper parts bright chestnut, mottled 

with black and buffy gray ; breast thickly spotted. 
Adults in winter: upper parts dull gray, obscurely 
streaked with dusky ; under parts white, with a few 
scattered triangular spots of dusky on breast and sides. 
Yotmg: back spotted with black and scalloped with 
dark chestnut and white ; chest tinged with pinkish 
buff ; rest of under parts white. Male : wing 3.00- 
3.75, bill .85-.95, tarsus .85-.90. Female: wing 3.70- 
Fig. 112 b. 3 ()Q^ ^ju 1.00-1.15, tarsus .90-.95. 

Distribution. — Breeding in Alaska and British America, migrating 
through western North America to Central and South America. Occa- 
sional on the Atlantic coast in migrations. 

Nest. — A slight depression in bare or grassy ground. Fggs : usually 4, 
deep cinnamon buff, spotted with rusty brown or chestniit. 

The western sandpiper is common along the Pacific coast during 
migration, but scarce and irregular in the interior. 

GENUS CALIDRIS. 

248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanderlincx. 

Toes only 3, short and flattened ; bill slender, about as long as tarsus ; 
feet and legs black. Breeding plumage : upper parts, throat, and 

chest specked and spotted 
with rusty, black, and 
ish ; rest of under parts and 
,_ stripe on middle of wing 

Fig. 113. white. Adults in summer : '^' ' 

upper parts and throat specked, spotted, and streaked with black, rusty 
and whitish; rest of under parts and stripe oh wing white. Adults in 
winter: upper parts hoary gray, except blackish quills and bend of wing; 
under parts snowy white. Young : upper parts coarsely spotted with dusky 
and gray above ; under parts wliite, sparsely marked with dusky and buffv 
on chest. T^ength : 7.00-8.75, wing 4.70-5.00, bill .95-1.00, tarsus .90-1.0.5. 
Remarks. — In having but three toes the sanderling resembles the plov- 
ers, but may be distinguished from them by its slender bill and trans- 
versely scaled tarsus. 

Distribution. — Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in arctic and 
subarctic regions ; in America wintering from Texas and California south 
to Chili and Patagonia. 




t, and #^ 

3otted » 

whit- si 

s and Xj^ 




SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 95 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with grass and leaves. Eggs : 
usually 4, light olive brown, spotted with various shades of brown. 

The sanderlings are sometimes found on the inland lake shores and 
during migrations are abundant on the coasts, picking along the 
sandy beaches and chasing the retreating waves. 

^ GENUS LIMOSA. 

General Characters. — Bill long and slender, straight, or slig'htly inclined 
upwards, whole front and back of tarsus covered with transverse scutellse. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail finely barred with cinnamon and dusky .... fedoa, p. 95. 
1'. Tail black, tip and base white heemastica, p. 95. 

249. Limosa fedoa {Linn.). Marbled Godwit. 

Adults. — Plumage mainly light cinnamon brown, heavily mottled with 
black on upper parts, 

and finely barred with ^^^^^^^T*^^'^ '^^"''^fSS^ 

blackish on chest, sides, ^ ^^^--^^^^^^^K^. . 

and tail; throat streaked 
and chin whitish ; edge 

of wing black. Young: „. -..,_ 

similar to adults but 

more ochraceous brown, and breast and sides unmarked. Length : 16.50- 
20.50, wing 8.50-9.00, bHl 3.50-5.06. 

Distribution. — Nearly the whole of North America, breeding in Tran- 
sition zone from low^a and Nebraska north to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, 
and British Columbia ; migrating to Guatemala, Trinidad, Yucatan, and 
Cuba. 

Nest. — A slight depression in grassy ground, lined mth a little dry 
grass. Eggs : usually 4. 

On the prairies, Colonel Goss says, the marbled godwits are found 
in flocks on moist ground and fresh water marshes. On the sea- 
shore they follow the retreating waves, probing the wet sand with 
their long, black-tipped, flesh-colored bills. 

251. Limosa hsemastica {Linn.). Hudsonian Godwit. 

Tail black, tipped w'ith white ; tipper coverts crossed by a wide white 
band. Adults in summer : back black, spotted with buff ; under parts 
light chestnut, barred with dusky ; head and neck speckled and streaked 
with buff and dusky; chin and line over eye whitish. Adults, in winter : 
head, neck, and under parts buffy gray ; upper parts plain grayish brown. 
Young: similar to -winter adults but feathers of back scalloped with 
dusky and buff. Length : 14.00-16.75, wing 8.10-8.60, bill 2.85-3.45. 

Distribution. — Breeding far north, and migrating through the United 
States east of the Rocky Mountains ; south to southern South America. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined Avith a few leaves. Eggs : 
usually 4, deep olive or light brown, spotted with darker brown. 

The Hudsonian godwit has not been taken west of the Rocky 
Mountains. 



96 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

GENUS TOTANUS. 

General Characters. — Bill longer than head, very slender ; legs and 
toes long, slender, and yellow. Tarsus one and a half times as long as 
middle toe and claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill nearly as long as tarsus, grooved for less than half its length. 

melanoleucus, p. 90. 
1 '. Bill much shorter than tarsus, grooved for more than half its length. 

flavipes, p. 97. 
Subgenus Glottis. 

254. Totanus melanoleucus (GmeL). Greater Yellow-legs. 
Adults in sninntfr. — Upper parts heavily mottled with black, gray, and 

white ; quills black ; upper tail 
coverts white, tail white barred 
with gray ; under parts white, 
spotted on chest and barred on 
sides with black; throat gray, 
streaked with dusky. Adults in winter: upper parts dark gray, finely 
spotted with white ; under parts mainly white, with fine spotting of gray 
on chest and throat. Young : like adults in winter, but darker above and 
with buffy instead of white spotting. Length: 12.15-15.00, wing 7.50- 
7.75, bill 2.20-2.80, tarsus 2.50-2.75. 

Hemarks. — In flight the whole tail and rump appear white, and are 
very conspicuous. 

Distribution. — Nearly the whole of America, breeding from Nebraska 
and northern Illinois northward, and wintering from southern California 
and the Gulf states southward to South America. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the ground lined with grass. Eggs : 3 
or 4, grayish or brownish buff, irregularly spotted with dark brown. Few 
nests have been recorded. 

Over most of the United States the greater yellow-legs are con- 
spicuous in spring and fall among the flocks of migrating snipes and 
sandpipers, not only about marshes and ponds, but on irrigated 
fields where silvery minnows have been washed over the land. As 
they walk about, the long bill and neck, slender gray body, and 
white breast are not markedly different from those of other sand- 
pipers around them, nor is there much that is individual in the dove- 
like motion of their heads and the occasional tilting of the tail ; but 
when disturbed by your approach they rise in a close flock with 
their liquid tweep, tu-weep, and the white rump and tail, together with 
their large size, mark them immistakably. Like others of their 
kind, unless too thoroughly alarmed they fly only a short distance 
before wheeling and circling back. As they wheel and circle the 
shifting whiteness of the flocks against the blue of the sky is enough 
to rouse one's enthusiasm. As they get ready to alight they lean 
over and look down, set their wings, and then come to groimd, rais- 
ing their wings gracefully over their backs for a moment after their 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 97 

feet touch the earth. But though fascinating to watch at their 
feeding grounds, they are seen at their best when they come in high 
from a distance on angular tern-like wings and sweep swiftly down 
through the sky. 

255. Totanus flavipes {Gmel). Lesser Yellow-legs. 
Smaller than melanoleucus. Plumage similar in all its stages, but with 

finer markings. Length : 9.50-11.00, wing 
6.10-6.65, bill 1.30-1.55, tarsus 2.00-2.15. 

Distribution. — Nearly the whole of _ 

America, breeding mainly north of the p- jj^ 

United States ; migrating to southern 
South America. Less common west of the Rocky Mountains ; accidental 
in Europe. 

Nest. — A mere depression in the ground, sometimes lined with leaves 
or grass. Eggs : usually 4, of varying shades of bulf, spotted with dark 
browns. 

In habits as well as general appearance the lesser yellow -legs 
resembles its larger relative, with which it is often found, sometimes 
in the same flock but more often in separate flocks on the same 
feeding ground. When seen together the difference in size is most 
noticeable, though the birds are otherwise counterparts. 

GENUS HELODROMAS. 

General Characters. — Bill very slender, a little longer than head ; legs 
and toes olive green, long, and slender ; tarsus scarcely longer than midcUe 
toe and claw. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Specking of back white or creamy solitarius, p. 97. 

1'. Specking of back cinnamon brown .... cinnamomeus, p. 98. 

256. Helodromas solitarius {Wils.). Solitary Sandpiper. 
Adults in summer. — Upper parts, including upper tail coverts and two 

middle tail feathers, dark olive gray, finely 

specked with whitish ; rest of tail barred 

with white ; outer quills and edge of wing 

deep black ; under parts white, streaked 

with dusky on chest and throat. Adults '^' 

in winter : upper parts more dusky and less olive, chest less streaked. 

Young : specking of back buffy, and dusky of chest and sides tinged with 

buff. Wing: 4.83-5.19, tail 2.05-2.28, bill 1.03-1.20. 

Remarks. — The solitary is distinguished from the other sandpipers in 
the field by its dark color and black wings, and by its shrill note as it takes 
wing. 

Distribution. — North America east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding 
from the northern United States northward, and migrating to Argentina 
and Peru. 

Nest. — A slight depression In the ground lined with leaves and grass. 
Eggs : said to be 2 to 4, dull buffy, spotted with rich brown and purplish 
gray. F©w nests have ever been found or well identified eggs collected. 




98 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

A little grass-fringed pond in the half open woods is a favorite 
wading-ground of the solitary sandpiper's, but the birds are often 
seen singly or in pairs by wayside puddles or meadow creeks, pick- 
ing their food from the shallow water with easy graceful motions, 
pausing now and then with head erect to make a teetering bow. 
They are quiet, shy birds, but not unapproachable, and they show 
an interested curiosity in strangers. Vernon Bailey. 

256a. H. S. cinnamomeus (Brewst.). Western Solitary Sand- 
piper. 

Slightly larger than solitarius, with the spotting of back in typical 
specimens cinnamon brown instead of white or creamy, and with sides of 
face lighter colored. Wing: 5.10-5.49, tail 2.18-2.30, bill 1.15-1.30. 

Distribution. — Western North America, migrating south through the 
Great Basin and Pacific coast region to Lower California and southward. 

In general appearance and habits the western is the coimterpart 
of the eastern solitary. 

GENUS SYMPHEMIA. 

258a. Sympheraia semipalmata inornata Brewst. West- 
ern WiLLET. 

Size large, bill slender, straight, about as long as tarsus ; base of toes 
webbed ; base of tail and large patch on wing always w^ite. Adults in 
summer : upper parts mottled gray and dusky ; end of tail gray ; belly 
white ; chest and sides buff y, barred with dusky, and throat streaked with 
dusky. Adults in winter : upper parts plain ashy gray ; under parts white, 
grayish on sides of throat and breast. Young : like adults, but upper 
parts and sides more huffy or ochraceous. Wing : 7.88-8.26, bill 2.28-2.70, 
tarsus 2.45-2.95. 

Distribution. — North America, west of the Mississippi valley, and north 
to about 56°, breeding from the Gulf coast of Texas north to Manitoba ; 
south in winter to Mexico. Casual along the Atlantic states in migration. 

Nest. — In a tussock of grass, rather bulky, and composed of grass and 
various plant stems. Eggs : 4, grayish buffy or olive, heavily spotted 
with dark brown and purplish gray. 

The western willet differs from the eastern in slightly larger size 
and in shades of color, but not in general appearance or habits. 
The shores of lakes and ponds are its favorite feeding grounds, but 
it is sometimes found on the meadows or prairies not far from water. 

After seeing the inconspicuous ashy gray birds feeding quietly 
along a sandy beach, there is something startling in the flash of 
strongly contrasted white and dark gray markings and the boisterous 
laugh as they take to wing. Once seen and heard, they can be con- 
fused with no other waders. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS HETEBACTITIS. 

259. Heteractitis incanus (GmeL). Wandering Tatleb. 

Web between middle and outer toes, but not between middle and inner ; 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 99 

bill straight and slender, longer than tarsus ; tarsus equal to length of mid- 
dle toe and claw. Adults in summer : upper parts plain slaty or plumbeous 
gray ; under parts thickly barred with white and dusky, becoming more 
spotted on throat and pure white on anal region. Adults in winter : middle 
of belly and chin white ; chest, sides, and upper parts gray. Young : like 
winter adults but with fine specks and narrow scallops of white on wings 
and back. Length: 10.50-11.30, wing 6.50-7.30, bill 1.50-1.60, tarsus 
1.25-1.35. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of America, from Norton Sound to Lower 
California and Galapagos Islands ; west to Kamschatka and the Hawaiian 
and Polynesian Islands ; breeding from Vancouver Island northward. 

Nest and eggs apparently not recorded, but young birds taken by 
Macoun on the west coast of Vancouver Island. 

GENUS BARTRAMIA. 

261. Bartramia longicauda (^ec/is«.). Bartramian Sandpiper: 
Upland Plover. 

Tail long and graduated, the end reaching well beyond tips of folded 
wings ; base of toes webbed only between outer and middle. Adults : 
rump black, rest of upper parts dusky, or greenish black, scalloped and 
streaked with buff ; crown blackish, with a median line of light buff ; 
sides and lower surface of wing barred with black and white ; throat 
streaked and chest marked with dusky; chin and belly white. Length: 
11.00-12.75, wing 6.50-7.00, bill 1.10-1.15, tarsus 1.90-2.05, tail 3.40-3.50. 

Distribution. — Most of North America, but mainly the plains and prairie 
region east of the Rocky Mountains ; north to Nova Scotia and Alaska ; 
west to .Utah and Oregon ; breeding from southern Kansas and Utah north- 
ward ; migrating to Brazil and Peru. Accidental in Europe and Australia. 

Nest. — A slight depression, usually in bare ground, sometimes with a 
little grass lining. Eggs : 4, creamy or buffy, spotted with dark brown 
and purplish gray. 

While in habits more plover than sandpiper, Bartramia combines 
even more the characteristics of the curlew and the godwit. It is 
rarely found near water, being preeminently a bird of the prairie. 
Sometimes during migrations it gathers in large flocks but is usually 
found in pairs catching insects in the prairie grass and flowers or 
following the plough picking up worms from the fresh earth. To the 
plough-boy of the plains it is a confiding companion, trusting him at 
a friendly distance and confidently answering his low whistles, while 
he in turn maAs its nests, leaving many a bit of unploughed ground 
for its home. The soft bubbling whistle of the old birds as they 
come over the prairie to meet you, and with curved trembling wings 
circle about, trying to coax you away from their nests or young, is 
one of the sweetest, most characteristic sounds of the prairie. 

But, for the morsel of meat on their breasts, these beautiful, 
friendly birds are counted game, even on their breeding grounds, 
and in migration they are slaughtered by thousands on the southern 
prairies. Vernon Bailey. 



100 SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 

GENUS TKYNGITES. 

262. Tryngites SUbruficollis {VieilL). Buff-breasted Sand- 

piper. 

Toes not webbed ; bill slender, straight, and about as long as middle 
toe without claw ; under surface of wing beautifully mottled and marbled 
with black on white and creamy. Adults : upper parts dull brownish 
buff, the feathers with black or dusky centers ; under parts plain rich 
buff. Young : like adults, but feathers of back edged with whitish. 
Length: 7.00-8.90, wing 5.10-5..50, bill .75-.80, tarsus 1.15-1.30. 

Distribution. — North America in general, especially the interior, breed- 
ing from the interior of British America and the Yukon district to the 
arctic coast ; south in winter to Uruguay and Peru. Occasional in 
Europe. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with a little moss or grass. 
Eggs : usually 4, grayish or pale olive buff, spotted with dark brown and. 
purplish gray. 

Although so widely distributed, the buff-breasted sandpipers do 
not seem to be common except on their northern breeding grounds, 
and in some of their southern stopping places. In the spring migra- 
tion they are abundant on the coast prairies of Texas and Louisiana 
and are favorite game birds of the pot-hunters because they go in 
dense flocks on the open prairie and yield many birds to few shots. 

GENUS ACTITIS. 

263. Actitis macular ia {Linn.). Spotted Sandpiper. 

Small and slender, bill approximately the length of tarsus, or of middle 
toe and claw. Adults in summer : entire upper parts bronzy or greenish 
olive, faintly marked with dusky; under parts white, marked, except on 
middle of belly, with round spots of dusky ; quills dusky, secondaries 
tipped with white, with a conspicuous white line along the middle of open 
wing. Adults in winter : white of under parts unspotted. Young : like 
winter adults but finely barred on wings and back with dusky and buff. 
Length : 7-8, wing 4.05-4.60, bill .90-1.05, tarsus .90-1.05. 

Remarks. — In the field the spotted sandpiper can always be recognized 
by its small size, plain gray color, and the conspicuous white bar along the 
middle of the wing in flight. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America, breeding throughout most of 
its range ; south in winter to Brazfl and Uruguay. 

Nest. — On dry ground in tuft of grass or under low bush, lined with 
leaves and grass. Eggs : 4, buffy, spotted with lilac, dark brown, and 
black. 

Although never numerous or in flocks, the spotted sandpiper or 
river sand peep is the commonest and best known of our sandpipers 
over the country at large. There is hardly a patch of water from 
the brooks in the mountain meadows to the rivers in the lowlands 
which has not one or more pairs of these little quaker gray birds 
picking along their shores with teetering gait, and with shrill peet- 
weet, buzzing from stone to stone so fast that their wing tips seem 



/_.^S»' 



^ 




J^'"' 

»-*^ 



h/f ^f'ffuz^f/ei'-'/ex 



LONG-BILLED CURLEW 



SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. 101 

always to be pointing down as they fly, their whole bodies tipping 
violently when they alight. This teetering motion, which becomes 
ridiculously rapid under excitement or alarm, has given the bird its 
familiar names of tip-up and teeter-tail. 

GENUS NUMENIUS. 

General Characters. — Bill curved and slender, longer than tarsus ; front 
of tarsus with transverse seutellas ; toes webbed at base. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill of adult longer than tarsus and middle toe ; crown not striped. 

longirostris, p. 101. 
1'. Bill not longer than tarsus and middle toe. 

2. Crown black with middle line of buff . . . hudsonicus, p. 102. 

2'. Crown specked, without middle line of buff . . borealis, p. 102. 

264. Numenius longirostris Wils. Long-billed Cuklew. 

Plumage light cinnamon, barred and mottled on upper parts with dusky 
and black ; outer webs of outer quills wholly black ; head, neck, throat, 
and chest streaked with dusky ; crown mainly dusky ; belly plain cinna- 
mon ; chin whitish. Length : 20-26, wing 10-11, bill 2.30 in young of 
year to 8.50 in old birds ; tarsus -3,00-3.50. 

Distribution. — Whole of temperate North America, breeding from 
Texas to Canada, migrating to Guatemala, Cuba, and Jamaica, 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with grass. Eggs : 3 or 4, 
grayish buff to pale buffy brown, spotted with dark brown and lilac. 

On the prairies in migration you sometimes see a flock of a 
hundred curlew flying high overhead in long shifting lines of form- 
ing and dissolving wedges ;- and on the irrigated fields of the in- 
terior, in marked contrast tolthe white moving throng of small bob- 
bing snipe and sandpipers, 'you often find a small company of the 
big, brown, round-backed Numenius with their long, curved bills 
down before them, stalking along with dignified demeanor. As 
they rise and fly you get a flash of rich, warm color, and your ear is 
startled by their stirring clarion call. When they come to earth, 
like other waders they raise their wings over the back for an instant 
with most striking effect. 

When an intruder approaches their breeding grounds they often 
come over the prairie to meet him and circle around with wild cries 
and shrill laughter. 

There is little excuse for killing these splendid birds for game, as 
they make too easy a mark for any true sportsman, and when taken 
are of little use, as their flesh is tough and dry. 

Colonel Goss gives . their food as worms, crickets, beetles, grass- 
hoppers, small snails, crabs, and crawfish, and says that they reach 
for the crabs with their long bills and pull them out of their holes, 
and probe for larvae that come near the surface in spring. 



102 



PLOVERS 



265. Nuraenius hudsonicus Lath. Hudsonian Curlew. 

Smaller than longirostris, with shorter bill and duller coloration ; quills 
plain dusk3^ Upper parts specked, mottled, and barred with dusky and 
buff ; crown black with middle and side lines of buff ; a dusky stripe 
through eye ; under parts buffy, barred and streaked on sides, chest, and 
neck with dusky. Length : 16.50-18.00, wing- 9.00-10.25, bill 3-4, tarsus 
2.25-2.30. 

Distribution. — Nearly the whole of North and South America and the 
West Indies, breeding- in the far north and wintering- in the southern 
United States and southward. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with grass and leaves. Eggs : 
usually 4, creamy to pale olive, spotted with dull brown. 

The Hudsonian curlew is common on the coasts but rare in the 
interior. In habits as well as general appearance it is similar to the 
long-billed curlew. 

266. Numenius borealis (Forst.). Eskimo Curlew. 

Similar to hudsonicus but smaller, with slenderer bill ; crown faintly 
specked with buffy on black, and without a distinct median line of buff. 
Length : 12.60-14.50, wing 8.00-8.50, bill 2.2.5-2.50, tarsus 1.70-1.80. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding in arctic regions and 
migrating to southern South America ; west to Kansas and Nebraska. 
Recorded from San Diego, California {21ie Auk, i. 393). 

Nest and eggs. — Similar to those of hudsonicus. 

The Eskimo curlew is said to be an abundant migrant on the 
plains east of the Rocky Mountains. 



FAMILY CHARADRIIDiE : PLOVERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Hind toe present but small Squatarola, p. 102. 

1'. Hind toe wanting. 

2. Upper parts spotted, belly black in summer, grayish in winter. 

Charadrius, p. 103. 

2'. Upper parts plain, belly always white .... -ffigialitis, p. 103. 

GENUS SQUATAROLA. 

270. Squatarola squatarola (Linn.). 
Black-bellied Plover. 

Hind toe minute ; bill rather short. Adults 
in sujnmer : face, throat, and belly black, bor- 
dered with white ; upper parts spotted with 
black and white ; upper tail coverts white at 
base ; outer half of tail barred with dusky. 
Adults in winter : under parts white, overlaid, 
streaked, and mottled with dusky and gray, 
becoming creamy or white on anal region ; 
upper parts spotted with gray and dusky. 
Young : like winter adults, but spotted above 
with light yellow, gray, and black. Length : 
10.50-12.00, wing 7.50, bill 1.10, tarsus 1.95. 

Distribution. — Nearly cosmopolitan, but 




PLOVERS 103 

chiefly in the northern hemisphere, breeding- far north ; south in winter in 
America to Brazil. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground lined with old grass. Eggs ; 4, light 
buffy olive, spotted with dark brown or black. 

" I have found this species quite common upon both coasts but 
rare inland, where it seldom stops except to rest on its migratory 
flights to and from its breeding-grounds. ... In habits it is similar 
to the golden plover." (Goss.) 

GENUS CHARADRIUS. 

272. Charadrius doiainicus Mull. Golden Plover. 

Hind toe wanting, bill small and slender. Adults in summer: upper 
parts black or dusky, spotted with bright yellow and white ; face, throat, 
and belly black, bordered witli a line of white ; tail dusky, barred with 
gray or yellow. Adults in winter : under parts mottled dusky gray ; back 
less golden than in summer. Young : like winter adults, but with upper 
parts more golden, and yellow wash over neck and breast. Length : 9.50- 
10.80, wing 6.80-7.40, bUl .80-1.00, tarsus 1.55-1.82. 

Distribution. — North and South America, breeding in arctic regions, 
and migrating to Patagonia. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the moss or dry grass. JEggs : 4, pale 
grayish or olive buff to buffy brown, spotted with dark brown or black. 

In the United States the golden plover is a common migrant east 
of the Rocky Mountains, but less frequently seen toward the Pacific 
coast. 

For an interesting account of its breeding habits see Nelson's 
Bii'ds of Alaska. 

GENUS ^GIALITIS. 

General Characters. — Hind toe wanting ; bill much shorter than head ; 
colors plain, with or without black bands. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Chest without trace of black bars montana, p. 105. 

1'. Chest with complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky in adults. 

2. Chest with two black bars vocifera, p. 103. 

2'. Chest with one complete or interrupted bar of black or dusky. 
3. Chest with complete bar. 
4. Bill not over .55. 

5. Front toes connected by web at base . semipalmata, p. 104. 
5'. Middle and inner toe not connected by web at base. 

circumcincta, p. 104. 

4'. Bill about .80 wilsonia, p. 105. 

3'. Chest with only a black spot on each side . . . nivosa, p. 105. 

Subgenus Oxyechus. 

273. ^gialitis vocifera {Linn.). Killdeeb. 

Adults. — Chest crossed by two black bands, the upper encircling the 




104 PLOVERS 

neck ; forehead, collar, and under parts white ; 
front of crown black ; rump and sides of tail bright 
oehraceous yellow ; rest of upper parts dull olive 
brown. Young : similar to adults but duller, with 
much rusty on back. Length: 10.00-11.25, wing 
0.20-0.75, bill .70-.90, tarsus 1.40-1.55. 

Distribution. — Whole of temperate North Amer- 
ica, breeding- throughout its range, wintering from 

California and the Gulf coast of the United 

Fig 1"0 Kiildeer States and West Indies south to northern South 

America. 

Nest. — A slight depression in bare ground. Eggs : 4, dull huffy, 
spotted with dark brown and black. 

The kiildeer is everywhere too common to need description, and 
even its name, dinned in our ears from morning till night from 
roadside puddles, barnyard, and meadow in the shrill kill-dee' , kill- 
dee', kill -dee' , kill-dee', becomes almost tiresomely familiar. Vocifer- 
ous at all times, the plover becomes doubly so when the little downy 
striped young are trotting about in the short grass. Then the cries 
and frantic endeavors of the old birds to lead the intruder another 
way by running ahead, limping, falling over, fluttering the spread 
wings and tail, and iittei-ing low notes of pain, would be ludicrous 
if not done in tragic earnest. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus iEgialitis. 
274. .^gialitis seraipalmata Bonap. Semipalmated Plover. 

Size small ; distinct basal webs between front toes ; bill very smail and 

short, less than middle toe without claw, the basal half yellow in adults. 

Adults in summer : throat encircled by a black collar, 

bordered above on back of neck v,dth a white band ; 

face black, with a white bar across forehead ; upper 

parts brownish gray, under parts white. Adults in 

.^ . winter : black of summer plumage replaced by dark 

|Hk - -^ ^m. gray. Young : like winter adults, but with feathers 

|^9L • of upper parts edged with biiffy. Length : 6.50-7.50, 

|H^% ' ' wing 4.65-5.00, bill .48-.55, tarsus .95-1.05. 

I^V ^ ,i Distribution. — In North America, breeding far 

T,,~~T.7, north, wintering from Texas to Brazil, Peru, and the 

^^' " ■ Galapagos Islands. 

Nest. — A depression in the ground, sometimes lined with grass and 

leaves. Eggs : 4, dull huffy or olive buff, spotted with dark brown and 

black. 

"This species is quite common in suitable localities throughout 
the continent. They are often met with upon low, marshy ground, 
but seem to prefer the sandy shores to barren lands." (Goss.) 

277a. .ZSgialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw. Belted Pip- 
ing Plover. 
Middle and inner toes without basal web. Adult male in summer : upper 
parts huffy gray, a black bar across chest and one across front of crown ; 



PLOVERS 105 

forehead, collar, and under parts white. Adult female in summer : duller 
black. Adults in winter : black replaced by buffy gray. Young : like 
winter adult, but with buffy edgings to feathers of back. Length : 6.25- 
7.50, wing- 4.50-4.80, biU .45-.50. 

Distribution. — Mississippi valley and north to Lake Winnipeg, west to 
Cheyenne, Wyoming, east occasionally to the Atlantic ; breeding from 
Illinois and Nebraska northward, and wintering on the Gulf coast and 
southward. 

278. -^gialitis nivosa Cass. Snowy Plover. 

Bill longer than middle toe without claw, slender, and entirely black. 
Chest band reduced to a spot at each side of breast. Adults in summer : 
crown and back pale buffy gray ; face and under parts white ; wide bar 
across front of crown, ear patch, and spot at side of chest black. Adults 
in winter : black replaced by dusky gray. Young : similar to winter 
adults, but with feathers of back tipped with white. Length : 6.25-7.00, 
wing 4.20-4.30, bill about .60, tarsus .90-1.05. 

Distribution. — Western United States, east to western Nebraska, Kan- 
sas, and Texas ; south in winter to Chili ; breeding over most of its United 
States range. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the sand. Eggs : 3, dull light buff, 
spotted with dark brown and black. 

On the shores of Salt Lake while the great white gulls disport 
themselves in the air and on the water, the plump little snowy plover 
is trotting along the beach gathering his food as he goes. If fright- 
ened, he drops into the deep footprint of a horse and is lost to view, 
so well does his back match the dull gray surface. Though so small, 
he is one of the most attractive bits of life in his big landscapes. 

Subgenus Ochthodromus. 

280. -SJgialitis wilsonia {Ord). Wilson Plover. 

Much smaller than the killdeer, with but one black band across chest 
and without yellow on rump or upper tail coverts. Adult male : upper 
parts brownish gray, with black across front of crown, lores, and chest ; 
forehead, superciliary line, collar, and rest of under parts white. Adult 
female : black of male replaced by brownish gray, more or less tinged 
with rusty. Young : similar to female, but feathers of upper parts mar- 
gined with grayish. Length : 7.50-7.90, wing 4.50, bill .80, tarsus 1.25. 

Esmarks. — The Wilson plover may be distinguished from the other 
small plovers by its much longer bill. 

Distribution. — Coasts and islands from southern California and Long 
Island south to Brazil and Peru. Casual to Nova Scotia. 

Subgenus Podasocys. 

281. ^gialitis montana (Towns.). Mountain Plover. 

Bill slender ; tail less than lialf as long as wing ; chest without band ; 
middle and inner toes not connected by basal web. Adults 
in summer : upper parts plain grayish or buffy broAvn ; 
under parts white or buffy ; forehead and line over eye 
white ; front edge of crown and streak in front of eye, 
black. Adults in winter : without pure white or black 
markings, and with more of buffy. Young : like winter 
Fig. 122. adults but still more buffy ; feathers of upper parts 




106 SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES 

strong-ly tinged with buff. Length : 8.00-9.10, wing 6, bill .80-90, tarsus 
1.50-1.00. 

Distribution. — Western United States, breeding from Texas to Dakota 
and Montana ; west, mainly in winter, to California and south to Lower 
California and San Luis Potosi, Mexico ; accidental in Florida. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the prairie lined sparingly with leaves and 
grass. Eggs : 3 or 4, cream color to light olive, spotted with purplish 
gray, dark brown, and black. 

Totally disregarding its name, the mountain plover inhabits the 
high arid plains, breeding in considerable abundance from the Staked 
Plains of Texas to Montana, and in Colorado up to 8000 feet. It is a 
quiet bird, lacking the sharp markings and vociferousnessof the kill- 
deer. Instead of haunting the ponds and meadows, it spends its time 
picking up grasshoppers and other small insects from the short prairie 
grass. 

Grinnell reports it a common winter visitor in Los Angeles County, 
California. Vernon Bailey. 

FAMILY APHRIZIDiE: SURF BIRDS AND TURN- 
STONES. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Bill stout, with rounded tip ; tail slightly emarginate. Aphriza, p. 106. 
1'. Bill with sharp tip inclined upward ; tail slightly rounded. 

Arenaria, p. 106. 

GENUS APHRIZA. 

282. Aphriza virgata (GmeL). Surf Bird. 

Base of tail, upper eoverts,and a broad bar on wing white. Adults in 
summer: upper parts, head, neck, and chest, slaty gray, specked and streaked 

with whitish, aijid spotted on scapulars 

with rufous ; belly white, specked with 

dusky. Adults in winter : like summer 

adults, but with upper parts, head, and 

^^' ~^' neck plain dusky or slaty gray. Young : 

back brownish gray, feathers edged with white ; throat and breast white, 

streaked with dusky. Length : 10, wing 7, bill .95-1.00, tarsus 1.20-1.25. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of America from Alaska to Chili. 

The surf bird has never been found in abundance, and its breeding 
grounds are unknown. 

GENUS ARENARIA. 

General Characters. — Bill short and sharp, with the tip inclined up" 
wards ; toes unwebbed ; lower back and base of tail white ; rump white, 
with black patch. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Throat white morinella, 107. 

1. Throat black melanocephala, 107. 




OYSTER-CATCHERS 107 

283.1. Arenaria morinella (imw.). Ruddy Turnstone. 

Adults. — Throat and belly white, chest crossed by a broad black band ; 
back coarsely mottled with rufous and black ; head variously streaked. 
Young : similar to adult but duller, without rufous on back, and with the 
chest band mottled dusky gray. Length : 9.00-9.90, wing 6.00, bill .80-90, 
tarsus 1. 

Distribution. — Arctic America, breeding from the Mackenzie River east- 
ward ; south in migration, chiefly coastwise, to Patagonia and the Falkland 
Islands. Rare in the interior and on the Pacific coast. 

Nest. — A slight depression in ground lined with grass and leaves. 
Eggs : usually 4, grayish olive, spotted with dark brown. 

284. Arenaria melanocephala (Fi>.). Black Turnstone. 

Adults in summer. — Crown and upper back black, with greenish bronzy 
gloss ; rest of head, neck, throat, and chest 
black, spotted on forehead and sides with 
white ; a white spot in front of eye ; belly and 
sides white. Adults in winter : similar, but with 
head, neck, and chest unspotted, sooty black. 
Young : head more grayish than in winter adults 
and feathers of back edged with buffy. Length : 
9, wing 5.80-6.10, bill .8.5-1.00, tarsus 1.00-1.10. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America 
from Point Barrow to Santa Margarita Island, 
Fig. 125. Winter Plumage. Lower California ; breeding from British Colum- 
bia northward. 
Nest and eggs as in morinella. 

FAMILY HiBMATOPODIDiE : OYSTER-CATCHERS. 

GENUS HJEMATOPUS. 

General Characters. — Bill straight and flattened, chisel-shaped ; bright 
red in adult, brownish in young ; feet and legs short and stout, red ; tail 
square across end. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Belly and base of tail white frazari, p. 107. 

1'. Belly and whole plumage blackish bachmani, p. 107. 

286.1. Hsematopus frazari Brewst. Frazar Oyster-catcher. 

Adults. — Head and neck greenish black ; back rich dark brown ; tail and 
wing quills brownish black ; under parts, base of tail, and patch on wing, 
white. Length: 17-21, wing 9.75-10.27, bill 2.99-3.05, tarsus 2.18-2..80. 

Distribution. — Coasts of southern and Lower California, north to Ven- 
tura County. 

The white-bellied oyster-catchers reported from southern Califor- 
nia are assumed to he frazari instead oipalliatus of the Atlantic coast. 
287. Hsematopus bachmani And. Black Oyster-catcher. 
Adults. — Head and neck dull bluish black ; rest of plumage brown- 
ish black. Y'oMw^'; duller, 
more brownish. Length . 
17.00-17.50, wing 
9.60-10.75, bill 
2.50-2.95, tarsus 
Fig. 126. 1.85-2.25. Fig! 127. 





108 JACANAS 

Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America from the Aleutian Islands 
to La Paz, Lower California, and the Kurile Islands ; breeding throughout 
most of its range. 

JEggs. — 1 to 3, laid on the bare rock, sand, or gravel ; light buff or olive, 
spotted with brownish black and purplish gray. 

Mr. Looniis has taken black oyster-catchers on the Seal Rocks at 
Monterey in July. They are said to be strictly littoral in their habits, 
always flying over the sea when moving from point to point. 

FAMILY JACANIDiE: JACANAS. 

GENUS JACANA. 

[288.] Jacana spinosa {Linn.). Mexican Jacana. 

Toes very long and slender, hind claw straight and longer than toe ; 
bend of wing armed with a sharp spur ; forehead covered by a leaf-like 
scale from base of bill. Adults : head and neck greenish black ; wing 
quills yellowish green edged or tipped with dusky ; rest of plumage rich 
purplish chestnut. Young : with only a rudiment of frontal leaf ; back 
olive gray, back of neck black ; rump brown ; under parts and stripe on 
side of head white. Length : 8.50, wing 4.50-5.40, bill 1.15-1.40, tarsus 
1.90-2.35. 

Distribution. — Middle America from southern Texas to Colombia ; 
Cuba ; Hayti. 



LAND BIRDS. 

KEY TO FAMILIES. 

ORDER GALLING : GROUSE, QUAIL, TURKEYS. 
PHEASANTS, ETC. 

1. Hind toe short, raised above level of front ones. 

2. Leg with spur, head naked or tail vaulted, plumage 

largely metallic Phasianidae : 

Turkeys and Pheasants, p. 134. 

^ 2.' Leg without spur, head feathered, tail not vaulted, 

plumage not metallic Tetraonidae : 

Grouse, Partridges, Quails, etc., p. 113. 

Fig. 128. 

1'. Hind toe long, on a level with front ones Cracidae : 

Currassows and Guans, p. 137. 



ORDER COLUMB^: PIGEONS OR DOVES. 

/\~r^ Bill slender, nostril opening in soft fleshy skin or membrane. 
<^-"^^^ 3 ColumbidsB : Pigeons, p. 138. 

Fig. 129. 




KEY TO FAMILIES OF LAND BIRDS 



109 



ORDER RAPTORES: VULTURES, EAGLES. 
HAWKS, OWLS. ETC. 



1. Head naked, feet not suited for 

grasping. . . Cathartidae : 

Vultures, p. 144. 

1'. Head feathered, feet especially 
adapted for grasping. 




Fig. 132. 



2. Eyes not surrounded by striking 

discs of radiating feathers. 

Falconidee : Falcons, 

Kites, Ha-wks, Eagles, 

etc., p. 146. 




Fig. 133. 




Fig. 135. 



Fig. 136. 



2'. Eyes surrounded by striking discs 
of radiating feathers. 



3. Inner edge of middle claw 

toothed . . . Strigidee : 

Barn Owls, p. 173. 

3'. Inner edge of middle claw not 

toothed . . Bubonidae : 

Horned Owls, etc., 

p. 175. 



ORDER PSITTACI: PARROTS. 



Toes 4, 2 in front, 2 behind ; outer toe perma- 
nently reversed Psittacidae : 

Parrots, p. 192. 



ORDER COCCYGES : CUCKOOS, 
TROGONS, KINGFISHERS, 
ETC. 




Fig. 137. 



Fig. 138. 



1. Toes 4, 3 pointing forward, 1 back Alcedinidae : 

Kingfishers, p. 198. 




3 1'. Toes 4, 2 pointing forward, 2 back. 

Fig. 139. 



110 KEY TO FAMILIES OF LAND BIRDS 



S^± '^' -^^^^ long-, cutting edges smooth Cuculidae : 

3 Road-runners, Cuckoos, etc., p. 193. 

Fig. 140. 

2.' Bill short, cutting edge toothed. Trogonidae : 

Trogons, p. 197. 

ORDER PICI: WOODPECKERS. 




Toes 3 or 4, only 2 in front ; 
bill chisel-like ; tail fea- 
thers stiff and pointed. 

Picidae : 
Woodpeckers, p. 200. 

Fig. 143. Fig. 144. 




Fig. 142. 



ORDER MACROCHIRES: GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS. 

*** V^^\ !• Bill long and slender, gape not deeply cleft. Trochilidae : 
p. \^ Hummingbirds, p. 232. 

-^3^ 1'. Bill short, wide at base, gape deeply cleft. 

Fig. 146. 

2. Plumage moth-like, lax ; middle toe long, and 
inner edge toothed . Caprimulgidae : 

Goatsuckers, p. 222. Fig. 147. 

2'. Plumage compact, middle toe normal, not 

toothed Miqropodidae : 

Swifts, p. 229. 

Fig. 148. 

ORDER PASSERES: PERCHING BIRDS.^ 





Toes 4, 3 pointing forward, 1 back ; ^^ all on the same level and 

never united for half their length. 

Fig. 149. 

1. Inner toe with basal phalanx united to that of middle toe. 

Cotingidae : Cotingas, p. 245. 
1'. Inner toe with basal phalanx not united to that of middle toe. 
2. Back of tarsus rounded. 

Ov ^^^^^^ ^' ^^'^'^ ^^^ longer than its toe and straight; 

w (n \ ± IjJjj rounded, riot hooked at tip. 

i • Alaudidae : Larks, p. 265. 

Fig. 150. Fig. 151. 

1 See Field Color Key, p. 479. 



KEY TO FAMILIES OF LAND BIRDS 



111 




Q 3'. Hind claw shorter than its toe and curved ; bill 
flat, wider than high, slightly hooked at tip. 
Tyrannidae : Flycatchers, p. 245. 
Fig. 15'2. 
2'. Back of tarsus sharp-edged. 

3. Primaries apparently only 9, the first being 
only a rudiment ; bill not notched at tip. 



Fig. 153. 





4. Outer primary twice as long as innermost. 
Hirundinidae : Swallows, p. 382. 

4'. Outer primary not twice as long as inner- 
most. 
5. Bill slender and thin at base. 



Hind claw as long as or longer than 

its toe . . . . Motacillidee: 

Wagtails and Pipits, p. 431. 

6'. Hind claw shorter than its toe. 

Mniotiltidee: 
Wood Warblers, p. 401. 



Fig. 157. 

5. Bill short and thick or long and thick 
at base. 
6. Bill notched at tip and with bristles 
at gape. 



Nostril concealed or overhung, 

or else cutting edge of lower 

mandible forming a distinct 

angle . . . Fringillidae : 

Finches, Sparrows, 

etc., p. 303. 



Nostril exposed, cutting edges of 
lower mandible without dis- 
tinct angle ; males with more or 
less red, females greenish and 
yellowish . , Tanagridae : 
Tanagers), p. 379. 



Fig. 164. 



6 . Bill without notch at tip and with- 
out bristles at base. 
7. Bill wider than high at base ; 
plumage greenish, speckled. 

Sturnidae : 
Starlings, p. 285. 



112 



KEY TO FAMILIES OF LAND BIRDS 




Fig. 167. 



7'. Bill not wider than high at 

base ; plumage largely black 

or yellow . . . Icteridse : 

Blackbirds, Orioles, 

etc., p. 285. 



rig. 166. 



3'. Primaries obviously 10 or else notched at tip. 
4. First primary more than half 




as long as second. 
5. Bill hooked at tip 



Fig. 168. 

. . Laniidae : 
Shrikes, p. 391. 



o 

Fig. 170. 




Bill not hooked at tip. 
6. Nasal feathers erect or inclined back- 
ward (except Genus Oroscoptes, in 
which the first primary is not half as 
long as second) . Troglody tidee : 
Wrens, Thrashers, Mocking- 
birds, and Catbirds, p. 433. 
. Nasal feathers pointing forward over 
bill. 

7. Large ; wing more than 4. 

Corvidae : Crovrs, Jays, 
Magpies, etc., p. 269. 



Small, wing less than 2. Paridae : 

Nuthatches and Tits (Genus 

Chamcea : Wren-tits), p. 452. 



Fig. 172. 



Fig. 173. 



4'. First primary not 
more than half r 
as long as sec- 
ond. 
5. Tarsus not divided into 
plates except near 

*«^«- Fig. 174. 

6. Tail abnormally short ; plumage slate 
gray. Ciiiclidae : Dippers, p. 432. 
6'. Tail normally long ; plumage green 
or brown. 
7. Small, wing less than 2..50 ; plum- 
age greenish, Sylviidae : King- 
lets, Gnatcatchers, etc. 
{Genus Regulus : Kinglets), p. 463. 
7'. Large : wing more than 3 ; plum- 
age brown or grayish. 
Turdidse : Thrushes, p. 467. 




GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 113 

5'. Tarsus divided into 
plates. 

Fig. 175. 
6. Bill slightly hooked or notched at tip. 
7. Small ; wing 1.90-2.20. 

8. Upper parts greenish or grayish ; 

tail even. Vireonidae : 

Vireos, p. 394. 

'. Upper parts bluish ; tail gradu- 
pted Sylviidae : Kinglets, 
Gnatcatchers, etc. 
(Genus Polioptila : Gnat- 
catchers), p. 463. 
7'. Large : length 6.50 to 9. 

8. Head crested . Ampelidae : 
"Wax-wings and 
Phainopeplas, p. 387. 
8'. Head not crested. 

Troglodytidag : "Wrens, 

Thrashers, etc. 

{Genus Oroscoptes : Sage 

Fig. 179. Thrashers, p. 433. 

6'. Bill not hooked at tip. 

7. Tail feathers stiff, pointed at tip. 
Certhiidae : Creepers, p. 451. 

7'. Tail feathers normal (except Genus 
Chamcea, in which the first pri- 
mary is more than half as long as 

second) Paridge : 

Fig. 182. Fig 183. Nuthatches and Tits, p. 452. 





ORDER GALLING : GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 

(Families Tetraonid^, Phasianid^, and Cracid.e.) 

FAMILY TETRAONIDiE: GROUSE, PARTRIDGES. 
QUAILS, ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Legs feathered down to hase of toes. • 



2. Tail feathers narrow and pointed. 

Centrocercus, p. 133. 

2'. Tail feathers broad and rounded. 
3. Sides of neck with tuft of feathers. 

Tympanuchus, p. 129. 




J^ig. ib-k. 



lU 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

3'. Sides of neck without tuft of feathers. 



4. Tail strikingly graduated, middle feathers 
much the longest. 

Pedioecetes, p. 131. 




4'. Tail not strikingly graduated, middle feath- 
ers not much the longest. 



5. Toes feathered 



Lagopus, p. 128. 




5'. Toes naked. 

6. Tail of 20 feathers. 

Dendragapus, p. 124. 
6.' Tail of 16 feathers. 

Canachites, 126. 
1'. Legs not feathered down to base of toes. 

2. Neck with two blackish or brownish ruffs. 

Bonasa, p. 127. 

2'. Neck without ruffs. 



3. Tail much less than half as long as wing ; 
claws long .... Cyrtonyx, p. 122. 



3'. Tail more than half as long as wing ; claws 
moderate. 

Fig. 190. 4. Head not crested . . . Colinus, p. 114. 

4'. Head with crest. 

5. Crest blended with feathers of crown. 

Callipepla, p. 118. 
5'. Crest distinct from feathers of crown. 
6. Crest long and straight (2-3 inches). 
Oreortyx, p. 117. 
6'. Crest upright, recurved and club- 
shaped (about 1 inch). 

Lophortyx, p. 119. 
GENUS COLINUS. 

General Characters. — Feathers of crown lengthened and erectile, but 
not forming a distinct crest ; tail about three fifths as long as wing ; wing 
less than five inches ; plumage of upper parts spotted and barred. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Throat black ridg-wayi, p. 116. 

1'. Throat white. 

2. Under parts lightly and irregularly barred . virginianus, p. 115. 

2'. Under parts heavily and closely barred .... texanus, p. 116. 







GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 115 

KEY TO ADULT FEMALE COLINUS. 

1. Under parts narrowly barred with black . . . virginianus, p. 115. 
1', Under parts broadly barred with black, 

2. Belly more heavily barred, cinnamon chest band usually more 

marked ridgwayi, p. 116. 

2'. Belly less heavily barred ; cinnamon chest band usually less marked. 

texanus, p. 116. 

289. Coiinus virginianus (imn.). Bob-white. 

Adult male. — Line through eye white ; throat white, bordered below 
by black ; rest of under parts bufFy or brown- .^g^^^"^ 

ish — reddish brown on sides — narrowly barred .^^f^^^^lf l'>»?r 
with black; upper parts reddish brown and 
black ; scapulars, tertials, and lower back strik- 
ingly blotched with black. Adult female : like ^^S- 191. 
male, but black of head replaced by brown, and white by buffy. Young : 
upper parts rusty, more or less spotted with black, and feathers with white 
shaft streaks widening at tip ; breast grayish or brownish, streaked with 
white ; throat and belly whitish. Length : 9.50-10.75, wing 4.55, tail 2.70, 
bill .59. 

Distribution. — Resident in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones in east- 
ern United States, and spreading from Nebraska and Texas westward ; 
also since introduction, in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, California, 
Oregon, and Washington. 

Nest. — A saucer-shaped excavation in the ground, sometimes domed, 
but usually sheltered by bushes or weeds, and lined with dry grass or stub- 
ble. Eggs : 12 to 18, dull white. 

Food. — Insects, grain, weed seed, beechnuts, and wild berries. 

No picture of early spring among the farms, with the fields of dry 
cornstalks and the smoky, budding wood-lots, marked off by rail 
fences, is complete without an occasional stiff whirr of wings in the 
brush, a scudding of quick feet in the rustling leaves, and the distant 
clear whistle, bob-white. 

The quail are in pairs now, and unless near enough together for 
their low conversational quit, quirk, queet, are sure to be calling back 
and forth in loud whistles from the fence tops, the stone piles, or 
low branches of trees. A little later the calling is hushed and the 
male may be seen hurrying about alone, or the two running mys- 
teriously under the bushes ; and still later there is a flock of little 
brown fluffy chicks to be led and guarded. By themselves they 
are a quiet, happy family, but when an intruder appears, all is excite- 
ment and confusion. There are two sputtering, fluttering, scolding 
old birds trying to lure or scare you away in several directions at 
once, and there is a scurrying flock of chicks, under your feet one 
moment, gone the next. They take to their heels now, but in a 
short time their quills sprout, and then when disturbed they take to 
wing like a lot of bumblebees. 

As the summer passes the broods often join in larger flocks, and 
when they get scattered the call-whistle, bob-white, is heard again 




116 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

about the farm. But dog and hunter are now abroad, and the quiet, 
happy days of the quail are over. Vernon Bailey. 

289b. C. V. texanus (Lawr.). Texan BoB-wnriE. 

Adult male. — Similar to C. virginianus, but upper parts mainly brown 
--j—..^^ rather than reddish brown, with distinct 

\>^*'Vji'IP^''*&ah^ ir-^ whitish barrings and with less striking- black 
t A^^H^^ blotches on scapulars, tertials, and lower 
g^iy^jSP^B^' back ; under parts more heavily and thickly 
*^ barred with brown, and usually with broader 

^^' ' and more distinct band of pinkish brown 

below black collar. Adult female : like male, but without striking- black 
or white markings ; upper parts mixed black, white, and brown, from 
buffy brown to rufous ; throat patch and superciliary tawny ; flanks less 
deeply rufous ; median under parts less heavily barred than in male, but 
more heavily barred than in the female virginianus. Young : browner 
than in virginianus. Wing : 4.39, tail 2.44, bill .59. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones, from west- 
ern Kansas south through Texas to eastern Nuevo Leon and Central 
Tamaulipas, Mexico. 

Nest, eggs, and food like those of the bob-white. 

The Texan bob-white is equally at home in the thorny thickets of 
southern Texas and in the brushy creek bottoms of western Kansas. 
At San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Attwater says the quail often come close 
to his ranch and lay eggs in hens' nests, perhaps on account of the 
protection afforded against snakes. 

Except for the paler coloration so common in the more open and 
arid regions, the Texan is a true bob-white, and for habits and voice 
might have been bred in Ohio. 

291. Colinus ridgwayi Brewst. Masked Bob-white. 

Adult male. — Face and throat black, under parts reddish brown ; upper 
parts finely mottled with cinnamon brown, black, 
and buff ; back of neck finely streaked with white. 
Adult female : like the female of C. v. texanus, but 
usually with a more marked chest band and 
■p- iqo heavier barring on belly. Wing: 4.49, tail 2.81, 

^\ bill .60. 

Distribution. — Southwestern Arizona and northwestern Sonora. 
Nest. — By one record, a shallow excavation beside a tuft of grass. 
Eggs : 6, white, unspotted. 

Food. — Red ants, grasshoppers, beetles, seeds, leaves, and berrieso 

The masked bob-white, first discovered in southern Arizona by 
Mr. Herbert Brown, finds congenial cover in the high grass of the 
mesas and valleys, disappearing when stock destroy the grass. Mr. 
Brown describes the male as strikingly handsome when the sun red- 
dens the deep chestnut of his breast. His two characteristic notes 
are the family hoh-white, given in bold full tones from the top of 
a rock or bush, and a 'hoo-we,' used when the birds are scattered, 
especially toward nightfall. 







GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 117 

GENUS OREORTYX. 

General Characters. — Crest of two long slender plumes ; bill and feet 
stout, tarsus equal to middle toe and claw ; tail about three fifths the 
length of wing, broad, rounded, with long coverts ; wing five inches or 
more. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Upper parts olive brown from tail to crest .... pictus, p. 117. 
1'. Upper parts grayish olive, bluish gray on nape . plumiferus, p. 117. 

292. Oreortyx pictus (DougL). Mountain Partridge. 

Adult male. — Crest black ; upper parts deep olive brown, usually to crest, 
top of head bluish gray, stripes on sides of back buffy or yellowish brown, 
throat and flanks deep chestnut, flanks broadly banded with black and 
white ; breast plain bluish slate. (See Fig. 194.) Adult female : crest 
usually shorter. Young : crest blackish, barred at end with pale brown, 
breast gray, marked with triangular spots, throat and belly whitish ; upper 
parts grayish brown, specked with white. Length : 10.50-11.50, wing 5.25- 
5.40. 

Distribution. — Resident mainly in humid Transition zone of Pacific 
coast region, from Santa Barbara, California, north to Washington. 

Nest. — On the ground, alongside or under an old log', bush, or other 
shelter. Eggs : usually 8 to 12, creamy or creamy buff, imspotted. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and other insects, berries, seeds, 
buds, and leaves. 

Though 0. p. plumiferus has been given the name plumed par- 
tridge to distinguish it from 0. pictus of the humid belt, both birds 
are known locally as mountain quail, and their habits are practically 
identical. 

292a. O. p. plumiferus (Gould). Plumed Partridge. 

Like O. pictus, but upper parts olive, the hind neck usually partly or 
wholly bluish slate like the breast ; 
forehead generally paler, often whitish, 
inner edge of tertials lighter buff or 
buffy whitish. 

Distribution. — Resident in arid Tran- 
sition zone from the west side of the Fig. 194. 
Cascades in northern Oregon, — except 
near the coast, — south along both sides of the Sierra Nevada, and in the 
southern coast ranges to northern Lower California. 

Nest. — A slight hollow in the ground lined with a few dry leaves, pine 
needles, and grasses, under shelter of thickets, bushes, weeds, or fallen 
treetops. Eggs : 8 to 14, cream to reddish buff. 

In winter when there are heavy snows on the mountains, the 
quail come down to the foothills, and have even been seen in Pasa- 
dena, three miles from the base of the mountains. In summer they 
are most abundant in the dense chaparral of Transition zone, 
though they go much higher. 

Only once during two months spent in the Sierra, in the heart 
of the plumed quail country, did I come face to face with one of 




118 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

these handsome birds. It stood, marvelous to relate, upon a fence- 
post by the road, and, as we passed, its long plume and rich banded 
sides stood out more clearly than in a museum show-case. Even 
that exhibition, though it had such a casual air, we more than sus- 
pected was to hold our attention while a surprised family got to 
cover. But though plumiferus vouchsafed us so little of its society, 
the mountains seemed alive with its fleeing broods. In July the 
young changed from balls of down with brown stripes along their 
backs to well-feathered chicks, who essayed to fly with the best of 
their elders. Twenty-one of these stubby-crested fledgelings started 
up and trained across the road almost under our horses' noses one 
day by Donner Lake, with only two old birds in evidence, but these 
were probably joint mothers of the flock. From Donner to the 
Yosemite a glimpse of dark whirring forms vanishing through the 
trees was so common that at night we often asked ourselves, "How 
many broods have we seen to-day ? " The clear pipe, and the hur- 
ried warning of the old guardian, kah, kah, kah, there 's danger ne'ar, 
there 's danger ne'ar, the low conversational notes of a family when 
undisturbed, and the motherly cluck and soft quieting talk of the 
old bird to her brood were so often in our ears that now, as we look 
back, they give life and richness to the memory of the majestic 
Sierra forest. 

GENUS CALLIPEPLA. 

General Characters. — Tail more than two thirds as long as wing ; bill 
small and weak ; crest short and not distinctly separated from feathering 
of crown ; sexes essentially alike. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Belly buff y squamata, p. 118. 

1'. Belly with chestnut patch castanogastris, p. 119. 

293. Callipepla squamata {Vig.). Scaled Partridge. 

Adults. — Plumage pale, bluish gray and dull brownish ; head and 
short, full crest fawn-colored, crest tipped with white ; most of under parts 
and fore parts of hack appearing scaled ; bluish gray of anterior under parts 
changing to buffy on belly, sides dark gray streaked with white ; posterior 
upper parts plain bluish gray, with conspicuous white stripe on each side 
of back. Young : upper parts marked with black bars and white mesial 
streaks ending in triangular spots at tips of feathers ; breast brownish, 
with white triangular streaks, sides barred with brown. Length. : 9.50- 
12.00, wing 4.50-5.00, tail about 4.10-4..50. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from Ari- 
zona to western Texas and south to valley of Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground, often under shelter of a yucca or low bush, some- 
times in grain-field or meadow. Eggs : 9 to 16, white to buff, uniformly 
spotted with buffy to reddish brown. 

Food. — Small beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and small seeds, grain, ber- 
des, and plant tops. 



** ^ 








SCALED PARTRIDGE 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 119 

The scaled quail live in the arid belt of scrub oak, chaparral, 
and mesquite extending from western Texas and New Mexico across 
southern Arizona. Djy washes and gulches in the foothills seem 
to be their favorite haunts, but they may be found almost anywhere 
not too far from water, even in valleys and out on open plains with 
only scattered brush and cactus for cover. 

As the bluish gray birds run from you over the gray ground, 
dodging this way and that among the bushes, the most conspicuous 
thing about them is the white tuft of their crest, and from its sug- 
gestion of the cottontail they have been well dubbed cottontops. 
Perhaps because they are so protectively colored they usually trust 
to their feet to carry them out of harm's way, rarely taking flight 
unless hard pressed. But when a flock does scatter, the birds are 
astonishingly hard to find, though but a few yards away. 

While shy in some places, they seem to be naturally rather trust- 
ful, and one of the most vivid mental pictures one carries away 
from their country is of a flock of the trim, delicately tinted quail 
standing together among the bushes, looking up out of their mild 
brown eyes with quiet interest and curiosity. 

Though met with so commonly, the quail are more often heard 
than seen. In the Pecos River country, where the rare blue sky 
comes low to the chaparral on the level plain, from the sun-filled 
brush day after day rings their companionable pe-cos , pe-cos' . The 
note, though sadly nasal, soon falls on the ear as one of the most 
musical of desert sounds, for like the smell of the sagebrush and 
larrea it carries the charm of the big open plains. 

293a. C. S. castanogastris Brewst. Chestnut-bellied Scaled 
Partridge. 

Like the scaled partridge, but upper parts browner, under parts deeper 
bufpy or more rusty brown, belly with a brown patch in the male, some- 
times indicated in the female. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone from Eagle Pass through 
the lower Rio Grande valley in Texas to CoahuHa and Nuevo Leon, 
Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually a hollow in the sand, under shelter of a clump of 
weeds, grass, or prickly pear, slightly lined with dry grass. Eggs : about 
15, white to buffy, distinctly and uniformly spotted. 

GENUS LOPHORTYX. 

General Characters. — Crest distinct from feathers of crown, narrow at 
base, and recurved, the feathers inclosed between the more or less ap- 
pressed webs of the anterior plume ; tarsus slightly shorter than middle 
toe ; wing four inches or more ; tail about four fifths as long as wing ; 
sexes different. 



120 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

KEY TO ADULT MALE LOPHORTYX. 

1. Back of head and flanks rufous gambelii, p. 121. 

1'. Back of head and flanks olive brown or gray. 

2. Upper parts smoke brown, inner webs of tertials deep buffy or ochra- 

ceous californicus, p. 120. 

2'. Upper parts bluish gray, inner webs of tertials buffy or whitish. 

vallicola, p. 120. 

KEY TO ADULT FEMALE LOPHORTYX. 

1. Belly buffy, not scaled gambelii, p. 121. 

1'. Belly not buffy, scaled. 

2. Darker Californicus, p. 120. 

2'. Lighter vallicola, p. 120. 

294. Lophortyx californicus (Shaw). California Partridge. 

Adult male. — Crest black ; patch on back of head olive or dark brown, 
bordered front and sides by black and white lines ; upper parts deep smoky 
brown, with deep buffy or reddish brown stripes along sides of back ; 
throat black, bordered by white, breast bluish gray ; belly scaled except for 
central deq:) chestnut patch ; flanks dark olivaceous or smoky brown, streaked 
with white. Adult female: head without black or white markings; gen- 
eral color deep smoky brown ; belly scaled, without chestnut patch or 
chestnut on sides ; sides streaked with white. Young : upper parts grayish 
brown, feathers of back and wing coverts with dusky and whitish edgings ; 
feathers of nape with faint white shaft streaks and dusky borders ; under 
parts gray, barred with whitish. Length : 9.50, wing 4.35-4.70, tail 4.10- 
4.70. (See Fig. 196, p. 121.) 

Distribution. — Resident in humid Transition and Upper Sonoran zones 
along Pacific coast region from Monterey County, California, to southern 
Oregon and northward. Introduced in Washington and British Columbia. 

Nest. — Usually a hollow lightly lined with grass beside a rock, under a 
brush pile or other shelter. Eggs: generally 12 to 16, white or buffy, 
irregularly spotted over the entire surface. 

Food. — Largely insects and weed seed. 

The California partridge is the counterpart of the valley quail in 
habits (see 294a). 

294a. L. c vallicola (Ridgw.). Valley Partridge. 

Adults. — Like californicus, but lighter colored, upper parts grayish 

brown, edgings of tertials buffy or whitish ; 

^.i^^^^^^^^j^ flanks olive grayish or grayish brown. Young : 

% \^^^Smt^ chest gray, marked with triangular white 

' ^^— __. .^^.^^^^Sk spots, belly faintly barred with grayish; 

Fie 195 Female vipper parts brownish, streaked and spotted 

with whitish. 

Distribution. — Resident in arid Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from 

Oregon south through California and western Nevada to Cape St. Lucas, 

Lower California. 

When you come down the sides of the Sierra from the yellow 
pines into the digger pines and oaks of the Sonoran zones in the 
breeding season, the quail that fly before you are smaller and bluer 
than the mountain quail above, and the flat tone of their quick w7io- 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 



121 




Fig. 19C. Valley Partridge. 



are-you-ah? who-are-you-ahf strikes the ear as a subtle expression of 
the difference between the hot low- 
lands and the cool mountains. The 
lowland bird has two forms differ- 
ing slightly in color, the valley quail 
occupying the arid sections and the 
California the humid. 

The brushy parts of Golden Gate 
Park in San Francisco abound with 
quail, and from the benches one can 
watch the squads of plump hen-like 
little creatures as they move about 
with stately tread or stand talking 
sociably in low monosyllables. If 
they hear a footstep on the walk they 
start up and hurry across the path 
like hens before a wagon, top- 
knots dropped over their bills, necks 
craned forward, and legs stretched as they patter along in double- 
quick time. When less in a hurry they run in a stiff, prim way, the 
cocks with a dignified gait, the hens with a demure feminine air. 

Outside the parks, when the flocks are feeding the old quail act 
as sentries, to the wrath of young hunters, who complain that the 
cocks ' tell on them ' ! 

As the country becomes settled, the former hordes of quail dis- 
appear, but they are still the game-birds of southern California, the 
roads are still patterned with their footprints, and through the val- 
leys they are closely associated with the charm of the mellow Cali- 
fornia days, their melodious iDlio-are-you-alif coming from the hill- 
sides in the cool mornings when the high fog is dissolving into blue 
sky, coming from the chaparral in the warm noonday hours, and 
echoing softly from the vineyards through the quiet golden sunsets. 

295. Lophortyx g-ambelii Gamh. Gambel Partridge. 

Adult male. — Crest black, forehead and throat black, bordered by white, 
crown reddish brown ; rest of upper parts 
plain bluish gray, tertials edged with 
white ; breast g"ray, hellfj with huffy and 
black patches^ flanks reddish brown streaked 
with white. Adult female : similar, but 
without striking marking's ; head plain 
brownish g-ray above, buffy streaked with 
darker on throat ; belly uniform buffy., flanks 
chestnut. Young : chest brownish gray, 
streaked with white ; upper parts grayish 
brown, minutely mottled, feathers with 




Fig. 198. Female. 



white shaft streaks 



at tip nnd with black spot on either side ; 



122 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

feathers of nape without dusky borders ; helly lohite, unmarked. Length : 
9.50-10.00, wing 4.45-4.70, tail 4.10-4.70. 

Remarks. — The Gambel partridge may be distinguished in nearly all 
plumages by its belly markings — the male by the black patch and ab- 
sence of scaling ; the female by chestnut flanks and absence of scales ; 
and the young by the white, wholly unmarked belly. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone from western Texas to 
southeastern California, and from southern Utah and Nevada south through 
central Sonora, Mexico. 

Nest. — A slightly lined hollow often beside a bunch of tall grass, in 
freshet drift, or occasionally under a yucca. Eggs : usually 10 to 12, 
white to buff, irregularly spotted, blotched, and clouded with brown, the 
blotches with a pinkish or purplish bloom. 

Food. — Insects, especially grasshoppers and ants ; also seeds, grain, 
mesquite beans, berries, and tender leaves and buds. 

The breeding season comes early in the valleys of the Gila and 
lower Colorado rivers. By February the deserts bloom, the aromatic 
creosote bush puts on its yellow robe, the big crimson and yellow 
cactus flowers, the fragrant evening primroses open wide, and yel- 
low tassels dangle from the mesquite. In the balmy spring morning 
the first sound to greet your ears is the shrill cha chaa' , cJia chad , of 
the cock quail from his perch on the blooming mesquite, and answer- 
ing calls follow from up and down the valley. When the sun has 
risen higher you find the quail in pairs, himting among the bushes 
for nesting-sites, talking in low, soft tones, the cock often bowing 
and strutting with important airs and crest low over his bill. When, 
after much careful prospecting, a nest spot is found safe from floods, 
hidden from enemies, and within daily reach of water, the birds 
settle down to home duties ; and before the flow^ers are gone may be 
found leading about families of striped-backed chicks. The chicks 
must be guarded from a host of enemies, but the old birds are wise 
guardians, and early autumn shows large flocks of plump, nearly 
full-grown quail, always on the alert, quick to scatter, but sure to 
reassemble, calling back and forth in small piping voices till the last 
of the brood is in. Later in the season the families collect in large 
flocks, often of fifty or a hundred, and scatter in the daytime to 
feed in the open, returning at night with a roar of wings to roost in 
some dense thicket or brushy bottom-land, huddled together in a 
snug, feathery mass. 

To the pot-hunter and trapper the birds are easy prey, but with 
proper protection they increase so rapidly as to be in no danger of 
extermination. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS CYRTONYX. 

296. Cyrtonyx montezumse mearnsi Nelson. Meakns 
Quail. 
Bill very stout ; head with a full crest of soft, blended, depressed feath- 




MEARNS QUAIL 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 123 

ers ; tail much less than half as long as wing, its feathers soft, narrow at 
tips, and hardly distinguishable from coverts ;. wing coverts and inner 
quills highly developed, folding entirely over the primaries ; tarsus and 
feet heavy, with long powerful claws ; sexes very different. Adult male : 
head markings black and wliite ; tip of crest fawn color ; back pale 
brown, barred, vermiculated, and streaked with white ; under parts with 
median line dark brown and sides slaty gray spotted with white. Adult 
female : head without stripes, prevailing color pale pinkish cinnamon ; upper 
parts coarsely mottled and finely barred with black, brown, and lavender, 
and feathers with coarse white shaft streaks ; chin whitish ; neck with 
lavender cape specked and bordered with black ; rest of under parts light 
cinnamon or lavender, breast and sides with black specks and shaft 
streaks. Young : similar to female, but under parts thickly spotted. 
Wing : 6.70, tail 2.28, bill .53. 

Distribution. — Resident in arid Upper Sonoran and Transition ^ones of 
western Texas, southern parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and northern 
Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground, partly concealed by grass. Eggs : white. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, weevils, caterpillars, larvae, small beans, prickly 
pear and other seeds, and great numbers of small bulbs. 

In the rugged little ranges rising from the deserts of western 
Texas, southern New Mexico, and Arizona, you find the Mearns 
quail, the United States form of the Massena quail, from the zone 
of junipers, oaks, and nut pines extending up among the big yellow 
pines, but always where there is plenty of grass or scattered brush 
for cover. When camping in its country we would often hear a 
soft chr-r-r-r-r from the grass, and after locating it start for the 
spot, only to hear the quavering notes repeated j;ist as far beyond. 
After another attempt the voice would be still across the gulch — 
then back of us — till finally we gave up in despair, for at all times 
the ventriloquial call deceived us. Fruitless hours may be spent 
trying to tramp up the birds, and when you do find them you are 
looking for something else, and they burst from the grass at your feet 
with a stiff-winged roar and are around the hill out of sight or have 
dropped into a thicket before you have recovered from your surprise. 

While we were in the Chisos Mountains, Texas, Mr. Fuertes made 
the interesting discovery that the quail under excitement spread 
their crest laterally, as he has depicted it in the plate. In describ- 
ing it he says : "Just after sunrise, while I was getting ready for 
the day's work, a cock Massena quail ran up beside the little knoll 
where I had placed my bed. He ran by me within fifteen or twenty 
feet, at first apparently not noticing me. When I turned to watch 
him he seemed to become more alert, quickened his trot, compressed 
his plumage, and raised his head to its highest, as a guinea hen will 
do when slightly alarmed. But accompanying this action he dis- 
played his curious crest in a peculiar and striking way. Instead of 
raising it as a bob-white would have done, he spread it out laterally, 



124 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

like half a mushroom. This curious feature combined with the 
compact neck and body feathers and striking facial markings gave 
him as unique an appearance as could well be imagined." 

Vernon Bailey. 

GENTJS DENDBAGAPUS. 

General Characters. — Head not crested ; tail about length of wing, fan- 
shaped, with twenty stiffish broad, obtuse feathers ; tarsus feathered to 
toes. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail without distinct terminal band .... richardsonii, p. 126. 
1'. Tail with bluish gray terminal band. 

2. Tail band wide (.50-.80 on outermost feather) . obscurus, p. 124. 

2'. Tail band narrow (not over .40 on outermost feather). 

fuliginosus, p. 125. 

297. Dendragapus obscurus (Say). Dusky Grouse. 

Adult male. — Upper parts dusky or bluish slate, finely mottled with 

gray and brown, huffy brown 
on wings ; hinder scapulars 
usually with distinct shaft 
streaks and terminal spots 
of white ; tail blackish, 
with wide bluish gray band 
^^^j^ ^Z"^^^""^^"-*^^^^-^^^^^--^™^ — 1.00-1.50 wide ; under 

■n,- jog parts slaty, marked with 

white on sides of neck and 
flanks. Adult female : s\vcn[a.v to male, but decidedly smaller, and upper 
parts, chest, and sides barred and mottled with dark brown and huffy. 
Young : upper parts yellowish brown, with irregular barring or mottling, 
and black spots and white or buff shaft streaks widening at tip ; under 
parts dull whitish, chest and sides spotted with black. ilfaZe : length 20-, 
28, wing 9.40-10.00, tail 8, weight about 2^ to 3^ pounds. Female : length 
17.50-19.00, wing about 8.70, tail 6. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountains, from Idaho and Montana south to 
Arizona and New Mexico, and from the East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, 
east to the Black Hills, Dakota. 

Nest. — A slight depression alongside a log or under grass or hushes, 
lightly lined with pine needles and grass. Eggs : 7 to 10, cream or cream 
buff, spotted over entire surface with brown. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, worms, grubs, and wild berries such as bearber- 
ries, raspberries, gooseberries, and currants, plant leaves and flowers, buds, 
and fir needles. 

Among the ranches the dusky grouse is commonly known as the 
' fooldien,' on account of its natural lameness and its unsuspicious 
nature. Back in the mountain ranges where hunters are scarce and 
usually in quest of bigger game, the grouse are almost as fearless 
as barnyard poultry, walking out of your path with stately delib- 
eration, or stopping to watch you near the trail. But after a little 
experience with hunters and dogs they become as wild as deer and 
almost as difficult to approach. 




GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 125 

With the Indian as well as the white hunter they are favorite 
game birds, both because of their large size and the delicate flavor of 
their meat. Vernon Bailey. 

297a. D. O. fuliginosus Bidgw. Sooty Grouse. 

Adult male. — Similar to D. obscurus, but darker, sooty blackish with 
narrower tail band — usually about .60 on middle feathers and not more 
than .40 on outer pair — and without white on sides of neck. Adult 
female: similar to female obscurus, but upper parts darker, sometimes 
washed with dark rusty. Young : darker and more rusty. Length : 15.50- 
19.00, wing- 7.00-7.50, tail 5.50-7.00. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast mountains, from Alaska south to Cali- 
fornia and Nevada. 

Nest. — Similar to that of the dusky grouse. Eggs : 8 to 15. 

The sooty grouse, like the wild turkey, is a bird of distinction and 
peculiar interest wherever found. Climb a mountain ridge toward 
sunset as the birds are going high to roost, and just before you reach 
the top, with a cluck and a whirr, down sails a great dark bird with 
widespread wings and banded tail ; and as you climb on, a banded 
feather under a low fir bough discloses the hollow where it had 
been scratching in the soft woods earth. Ride along a trail and as 
you scan the trees beside you, though your horse hears no sound 
and detects no motion, your eye may distinguish a statue-like figure 
close to the tree trunk so like the bark in color that only its form 
reveals it. Explore a wind-swept granite crag at sunset and in one 
of its protected wooded niches warm in the evening light a mother 
grouse whirrs up into a tree and walks up and down a branch, cran- 
ing her long neck with its small pointed head, clucking anxiously 
as she goes, and at the turns bobbing her tail and wobbling hard to 
keep her balance. As she calls, one after another her invisible 
young burst from the brushy thicket at your feet and on stiff convex 
wing whirl away over the rocks out of sight. Go to a canyon 
where the male is hooting and nearly a mile away you will hear his 
loud ventriloquial whoo, whoo, wJioo. Followed up, he proves to be 
near the top of a tall pine fifty to seventy-five feet above your head, " 
sitting close to the trunk, concealed by the branches. Through the 
glass he is seen to sit with spread tail and hanging wings, filling his 
yellow pouches till his neck looks almost as big as his body, when 
with a pumping motion of the head he gives his hollow muffled 
hoot. If you stay to listen you may hear the booming at short 
intervals for hours. 

In winter. Major Bendire says, the grouse spend most of their 
time in .the tops of tall firs and pines, coming down only in the 
middle of the day to get water from a moimtain spring, for the 
treetops supply buds and needles for their food. 







126 GROUSE, PARTRIDGP:S, QUAILS, ETC. 

297b. D. O. richardsonii (DougL). Richardson Gkouse. 

Similar to D. obscurus, but tail without distinct ter- 
minal gray band, and tail feathers more truncated at 
tip. 

Distribution. — Resident in Canadian zone of the 
Rocky Mountains from northern Wyoming-, Montana, 
and Idaho, north to British Provinces. 

Nest and eggs similar to those of the dusky grouse. 

Fig. 200. The Richardson grouse is said to remain in the 

mountains except in the breeding season, when it descends to 
the valleys. 

GENUS CANACHITES. 

299. Canachites franklinii (DougL). Franklin Grouse. 

Similar to Dendragapus, but tail with sixteen feathers, which are more 
truncated at tip. Adult male: orange 
comb over eye ; upper parts dark, broadly 
marked with black bands and narrower 
bars of gray and brown ; tail feathers 
J,, tyn-, black to tip, or narrowly edged with 

white ; upper tail coverts mottled and strik- 
ingly banded with white ; throat and chest black, with white band between ; 
belly banded with white ; flanks mottled and banded with brown and 
streaked with white. Adult female : upper parts blackish, irregularly 
banded, barred, and mottled with rusty brown and ash ; white bands of 
tail narrower than in male ; under parts uniformly banded with black, 
white, and rustv brown. Length : 14.70-16.20, wing- about 6.50-7.35, tail 
5.00-5.75. 

Distribution. — Resident in the mountains of western Montana and 
Idaho ; westward to the coast ranges of Oregon and Washington ; and 
northward throug-h British Provinces to southern Alaska. 

Nest. — On ground in woods. Eggs : 8 to 15, bufpy or pale brownish, 
more or less spotted with deep brown. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, wild berries, and buds and leaves of spruces and 
tamaracks. 

No bird is more characteristic of the deep fir forests of the north- 
ern Rockies and Cascades than the Franklin grouse. It is known 
locally as the ' fool-hen ' from its misplaced confidence in man, its 
attitude toward him being one of mild curiosity and indifference 
rather than alarm. A grouse will sometimes walk slowly out of the 
way to avoid being stepped on, and will often sit quietly beside the 
trail as you pass. The danger the birds run in keeping quiet is 
not as great as it appears, however, for in the dark forest their 
dusky mottling renders them almost invisible. 

Vernon Bailey. 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 127 

GElSrUS BONASA. 

General Characters. — Head with a short crest ; sides of neck with a 
black or brown ruff of soft, broad-webbed feathers ; tail nearly as long as 
wing, fan-shaped. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper parts dark rusty brown sabini, p. 128. 

1'. Upper parts not dark rusty brown. 

2. Upper parts, including tail, gray .... umbelloides, p. 128. 

2'. Upper parts gray and brown, tail sometimes ochraceous. 

togata, p. 127. 

300a. Bonasa umbellus togata {Linn.). Canadian Ruffed 
Grouse. 

Similar to B. u. umbelloides, but darker ; upper parts mixed with gray, 
sometimes mostly gray ; under parts more heavily marked with brown, JlanJcs 
barred with dark brown or black ; tail brown or gray. 

Distribution. — Resident in the Canadian zone forests of the northeastern 
United States, British Provinces, and eastern parts of Oregon and Wash- 
ington. 

Nest and eggs similar to those of umbelloides. 

Food. — Largely buds, leaves, berries, fungus, seeds, and nuts. 

While common in its various forms over much of the northwestern 
United States and the Rocky Mountain region, the ruffed grouse is 
less famed as a game bird in the west than in the east, probably 
because other and larger grouse claim more attention. Wherever 
flushed its quick flight and long, black-banded tail distinguish it 
from all others of the family, while a strutting old male, stepping 
daintily along a trail in the shady forest with black epaulettes 
slightly lifted and tail half spread, has a grace and elegance found 
in no other North American grouse. 

Purely a bird of the forest, it relies largely upon cover and its 
mottled coat for protection, and when flushed, if possible puts a 
tree between itself and the hunter as it whirrs away to light out of 
sight on the far side of a gray trunk. There it draws itself up and 
stands as rigid as a branch. How well it knows how far to trust 
itself, breaking away at the first intelligent gleam from the pur- 
suer's eye ! But with all the skill and untamable wildness of the 
grouse, it needs rigid protection from the day it leaves the eggshell. 
A brood of bob-tailed young buzzing from the grass up on to the 
branches are easily potted, and in winter a flock noisily picking 
birch and alder-buds in the treetops are sadly exposed to the con- 
scienceless hunter below. 

While the snow is on the ground the birds feed mainly on buds, 
and usually have a warm bed under the snow. Before the snow is 
all gone in spring, each male selects his drumming ground, — a log, 
a rock, or merely an open spot of 'ground, — and begins his drum- 



128 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

ming. The muffled wing-beats suggest distant thunder, though the 
sound is much the same at twenty feet or forty rods. I have often 
crept up within twenty or thirty feet of an old cock and watched 
him. Standing in a perfectly natural position, he begins without 
any warning. The wings are slightly raised and brought quickly 
down to the sides, one, two, three, four, five, six times, — you can 
count no farther, — the buzzing wings are lost in a blur, and the 
sounds blend in a crescendo roar. For hours at a time through the 
breeding season the drumming is kept up at intervals of from one 
to several minutes. It is heard mainly in the morning and evening, 
but irregularly at all times of day and night, though always from 
the same spot. Vernon Bailey. 

300b. B. u. umbelloides {Dougl). Gray Ruffed Grouse. 

Adult male. — Ruffs black, with bluish green gloss to tips ; upper parts 

3 gray, whole surface finely 
mottled gray and black, more 
or less washed with rufous, 
blotched with black, and 
streaked with white ; tail al- 
ways gray, with broad black 
subterminal band ; under 
Pig 202. parts white and buffy, barred 

with brown. Adult female : 
similar but smaller, with neck tufts rudimentary or obsolete. Young: 
similar to adult female, but browner, barring paler, less distinct, dim 
white, and neck tufts wanting. Length : 15.50-19.00, wing 7.00-7.50, tail 
5.50-7.00. . 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Hudsonian zones, in the central 
Rocky Mountain system of the United States, British America, and 
Alaska. 

Nest. — A hollow at base of tree or rock, or by a fallen treetop or 
brush pile. Eggs : 8 to 14, varying from white to pinkish buff, stained 
with brown. 

Food. — Wild fruit and berries, seeds, buds, and green leaves. 

300c. B. u. sabini {Bough). Oregon Ruffed Grouse. 

Like B. u. umbelloides., but much darker ; upper parts black and dark 
rusty or reddish brown, rarely with any gray ; tail usually deep rusty, 
rarely grayish ; under parts heavily marked with blackish and washed 
with buffy brown. 

Distribution. — Resident in humid Transition and Canadian zones in 
coast ranges from British Columbia south to Humboldt County, Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest. — As described by Bendire, a hollow under fallen branches lined 
with dead leaves, spruce needles, and a few feathers. Eggs : 7 to 13. 

Food. — Similar to that of other grouse. 

GENUS LAGOPUS. 

General Characters. — Toes and tarsus densely feathered, tail less than 
two thirds as long as wing, with long coverts reaching to tip 







1 








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Photographed from life by E. R. Warren. 

WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 129 

KEY TO SPECIES OF LAGOPUS. 

1. General color of upper parts gray, in fall plumage. 

leucurus, p. 129. 
1'. General color of upper parts bufEy, in fall plumage. 

altipetens, p. 129. 

304. Lagopus leucurus Swains. Sr Rich. White-taeled Ptar- 
migan. 

Adults in winter. — Pure -white. Adults in summer : plumage spotted, 
barred, or mottled with black and rich buffy brown except for white 
wings, tail, legs, and belly; the white tail hidden from above by long 
mottled coverts. Adults in fall : similar to summer, but dark parts more 
uniformly gray, with finer markings and only a trace of buffy. Young : 
tail gray. Wing : 6.37-6.75, tail 3.81-4.07, bill .37, tarsus 1.13-1.22. 

Distribution. — Above timber line in Alaska, mountains of British 
Columbia, and higher peaks of Cascades, south to Hood and Jefferson. 

Nest. — On ground in open situations, a depression in the grass, or an 
actual nest of interlaced grass stems, weed tops, and feathers. Eggs : 10 to 
16, more or less heavily spotted or marbled with dark brown or black on a 
buffy or light rusty ground. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and other insects, as well as 
young foliage, buds, flowers, and catkins. 

Well above timber line along the crests of the higher mountain 
ranges these hardy furry-footed little grouse live among the rocks 
and heather beds, where, although the food supply is small, they 
find an abundance, there being little or no competition from birds of 
like habits. 

In summer they keep close to the retreating snow-banks and often 
make their nests beside permanent glaciers. Their usual landscape 
is patched with snow as their plumage is with white. But though 
they are colored for safety among the glaciers, the dark parts of their 
plumage make them blend in with the rocks so perfectly that they 
are almost invisible when not moving — a fact they seem to appre- 
ciate, for they sit still until you almost step on them. 

Vernon Bailey. 

304a. L. 1. altipetens Osgood. Soutetekn White-tailed Ptar- 
migan. 

Slightly larger than leucurus and similar ^ 

to it in winter and summer plumages, but 

in fall plumage more brownish, the upper 

parts pale cinnamon rufous. Wing 7.10- 

7.44, tail 4.30-4.72, bill about .37, tarsus ^ _„ 

1.13-1.28. ^^- ^"•^• 

Distribution. — Colorado and New Mexico. 

In Colorado the local name for the ptarmigan is ' white quail.' 

GENUS TYMPANUCHUS. 

General Characters. — Sides of neck with a conspicuous tuft of stiff, 
pointed feathers and an inflatable air sac ; head with a slight soft crest ; 




130 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

tail short, rounded; tarsus scantily feathered to toes; toes extensively 
webbed at base. 

KEY TO SPECIES OF TTMPANCTCHUS. 

1. Bars of back and rump single, broad and solid black. 

2. Larger americanus, p. 130. 

2. Smaller. Coast of Texas attwateri, p. 131. 

1'. Bars of back and'rump treble, a brown bar inclosed between two nar- 
row black bars pallidicinctus, p. 131. 

305. Tympanuchus americanus (Beich.). Prairie Hen. 

Adult male. — Upper parts yellowish brown and white, crossed by single 
black bars ; under parts white, barred with brown ; head deep buff except 

for blackish brown stripes and 
^■^'^Vjx blotches ; neck with tufts above 

M /^^"-^ij^iBsj. inflatable air sac, feathers of 

'^''hW^^^^X *"^"*^ ^"^^ ^^ more in length 
with broad rounded tips. 
f^'VitM^^^'W^^ ^c?m/^ female: similar, but 

^S^^i^^^^ with neck tufts rudimentary. 

-p. 204 Young^ : upper parts light 

brownish, feathers with con- 
spicuous white mesial streaks and large black blotches. Male: length 
18-19, wing 8.60-9.40, tail 4.00-4.30. Female : length 17.50, wing 8.65, 
tail 3.80. 

Distribution. — Prairies of the Mississippi valley from Manitoba south 
to Texas and Louisiana, and west to Colorado, with a general tendency 
toward extension of range westward and contraction eastward. Migrates 
locally north and south. 

Nest. — A slight excavation in the ground among grass and weeds on 
open prairie, sometimes lined with matted grass and a few feathers. Eggs: 
usually 11 to 14, cream, olive, or huffy, sometimes slightly specked with 
darker. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, potato bugs, and various other beetles and in- 
sects, besides berries, grain, small seeds, green leaves, and buds. 

The few scared, hunted prairie chickens that remain scattered here 
and there over our great middle prairies are but a poor remnant of 
the abundant flocks that only a few years back feasted through the 
summer on grasshoppers and boomed loudly in spring from every 
lonely hilltop and wide expanse of open country. Perhaps no bird 
offers such tempting sport to hunters as these quick but straight- 
flying grouse of the open country, ranging as they do in flocks of 
ten or twelve, lying close for the dogs, scattering as they fly, and 
lighting again on all sides to be worked up and shot by ones and 
twos. When besides their character as game birds their goodly size 
and delicious flavor are considered, it seems little wonder that they 
have been rapidly destroyed. In places they are still fairly common, 
and by wise protection could no doubt be kept from extermination. 

Through the summer months they are quiet birds, nesting in the 
grass and keeping their young well out of sight in grainfields or 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 131 

berry patches. In winter, flocks of sometimes a hundred or more 
wary old birds gather together, but they light in the treetops to 
inspect the horizon for danger before settling down to breakfast in 
the cornfield, or else fly from their soft beds of snow to some big 
open field where there is not so much as a bush or stick to hide a 
lurking enemy. As the snow gets deeper it only brings them up 
nearer the berries, haws, and buds, which furnish the bulk of their 
winter food. When the snow hardens to a rigid crust and a few 
patches of bare ground appear you hear just at sunrise a low boom- 
ing sound, perhaps a mile away, answered by one after another of 
the awakened cocks. This will be heard for hours every morning 
from the last of February till the first of May in the grouse country, 
for then the birds are having their famous dances. A few cocks and 
hens gather on a frozen lake or the open prairie, and the males fight 
and strut and boom in ardent rivalry before the apparently uncon- 
cerned females. They inflate the orange air sacs on each side of the 
neck, spread the yellow fringe over the eyes, and with widespread 
tail, drooping wings, erect neck tufts, and lowered head emit the air 
with the low booming sound. The booming is kept up throughout 
the breeding season. It is a most deceptive sound, at twenty feet 
often seeming far away, and at a long distance sounding close by. 

Vernon Bailey. 

305a. T. a. attwateri (Bend.). Attwateb Prairie Hen. 

Similar to T. aiJiericanus, but smaller and darker ; usually more chestnut 
on the neck ; wing coverts with smaller, more tawny spots ; tarsus more 
scantily feathered, feathers never reaching- base of toes ; in summer, greater 
part of tarsus naked ; in winter, stripe of bare skin on back of tarsus. 

Distribution. — Coast districts of southwestern Louisiana and Texas. 

307. Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Ridgw. Lesser Prairie 
Hen. 

Like the prairie hen but paler, and bars of back in threes, a wide brown 
bar inclosed by two narrow black bars. Male : wing 8.20-8.30, tail 4.00- 
4.20. Female : wing 8.00-8.20, tail 3.50-4.00. 

Distribution. — Eastern edge of the plains, from Kansas south to 
western Texas. 

Nest. — On ground in meadows or other open situations. Eggs : 8 to 12 
or more, grayish, olive, or buffy, usually plain, but sometimes spotted with 
darker. 

GElSrUS PEDIGECETES. 

General Characters. — Head lightly crested, a naked patch over each 
eye ; neck without obviously peculiar feathers, but with a hidden patch of 
distensible skin, reddish in the breeding season, over which lies a series of 
slightly enlarged feathers ; feet feathered to the toes ; toes with a con- 
spicuous fringe of horny processes in winter ; tail much shorter than wings, 
graduated, feathers square at tips, the middle pair projecting much beyond 
the rest. 



132 GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 

KEY TO SPECIES OF PEDICECETES. 

1. Ground color buffy grayish columbianus, p. 132. 

1'. Ground color rusty or yellowish brown .... campestris, p. 132. 

308a. PedicBcetes phasianellus columbianus (Ord). Co- 
lumbian Shakp-tailed Gkouse. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish brown, with black and buffy markings ; 
under parts bulfy or clear whitish, white or buffy prevailing in feathers 
with V-shaped markings. Young : similar to adult female but grayer, and 
throat white. ien^^A ; 15-19, wing; 8.50-9.00, tail 4.00-5.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in northern part of Great Basin region, east to 
Montana and Wyoming, and north from Utah, Nevada, and northeastern 
California to central portion of Alaska. 

Nest. — A hollow in the g'round, lined with dried g'rass and feathers. 
Eggs : 11 to 14, creamy buff to olive brown, usually lightly spotted with 
reddish brown. 

Nowhere so abundant as the pinnated grouse, the sharp-tailed has 
a wider range over more unsettled country and will probably last 
longer, especiallj^ in the northern part of its range. While a prairie 
or plains bird, it is usually flushed from a berry patch, low bushes 
beside a creek, a stubble field, or sagebrush. Its finely mottled 
plumage makes it very inconspicuous, and its tendency is to lie low 
and be flushed at fatally close quarters. 

Though the grouse usually keep well hidden in summer, in winter 
when their plumage has become dense and their feet and legs rabbit- 
like, they may be seen crossing the fields on top of the snow or get- 
ting their breakfast of buds from the tops of trees and tall bushes. 
When the weather is cold and the snow deep and soft they often 
roost under the snow like the ruffed grouse, and come out in the 
morning fifteen or twenty feet from where they entered the white 
surface at night. 

In spring the males have a loud cackling note, besides a scraping 
sound produced apparently by opening and closing their rigid tail 
feathers. 

Vernon Bailey. 

308b. P. p. campestris Bidgw. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. 

Similar to columbianus, but ground color much lighter, prevailing' shade 
rusty or yellowish brown ; under parts main- 
ly whitish, and dark breast washed with 
whitish. 

Distribution. — Breeds on plains and prairies 
in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
Manitoba south to New Mexico, and from 
Wisconsin and Illinois west to the Rocky 
Mountains. 






^'^'"Co;;X'o^^.e^r™" iVe.^.-On the ground. ^^.;11 to^l4, 
pj 205 creamy butt to pale olive brown, slightly 

spotted. 



GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 



133 



Food. — Grasshoppers and other insects, fruit, berries, grain, buds, and 
leaves. 

GENUS CENTROCERCUS. 

General Characters. — Tail longer than wings, graduated, feathers 
pointed ; neck with distensible air sacs surmounted by hair-like filaments 
and erect feathers ; tarsus feathered to toes. 

309. Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.). Sage Grouse. 

Adult male. — Upper parts mottled gray or buif y, irregularly spotted or 
barred with black or brownish ; in breeding season tufts of white downy 
feathers, mixed with black egret- 
like wiry plumes on shoulders ; 
yellow air sacs on side of throat ; 
chest blackish before the breed- 
ing season, with black wiry 
feathers depending from the 
chest band ; chest white after 
the breeding season, during 
which time the blackish tips 
are worn off by rubbing on the 
ground. Adult female: similar 
to male but smaller and without 
ruffs, air sacs, or nuptial plumes ; 
throat white, chest band spec- 
kled grayish. Young : some- 
what like adult female but 
brownish above, markings on 
under parts, including black of 
belly, less distinct. Male: length 
26-30, wing 12-13, tail 11-13, 
weight 4^8 pounds. Female : 
length 21.50-23.00, wing about 
10.50-11.00, tail 8-9. 

Distribution. — Breeds in sage- 
brush plains of the interior in 
Upper Sonoran and Transition 
zones from Assiniboia and Brit- 




From Bond, in The Auk. 
Fig. 206. 



ish Columbia to Utah, Nevada, and California, from the Sierra Nevada and 
Cascades east to the Black Hills, Nebraska, and Colorado. 

Nest. — A slight hollow, with or without lining, usually under the shelter 
of a sage bush, but sometimes near a creek sheltered by a bunch of high 
grass. Eggs : usually 7 to 9, olive buff to greenish brown, marked with 
round spots of dark brown. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, ants, and other insects, with tender plants, leaves, 
buds, and flowers. 

Throughout the Great Basin and arid plains country, where the 
most abundant and characteristic plant is the silvery -leaved aromatic 
sagebrush, we jQnd this largest, stateliest of North American Tetra- 
onidae, the sage grouse. It is a bird of the open country, seeking no 
heavier cover than the low sagebrush and often wandering over bar- 
ren slopes or short grass meadows, or in large flocks late in summer 
mounting above the timber belt of the mountains, to find new pas- 
tures in the stunted growth of sage close to perpetual snow. 



134 PHEASANTS AND TURKEYS 

When much hunted the grouse become as wary as any game birds, 
but in a few far-away corners of their range they are still numer- 
ous. To the sportsman used to the quick whirr of the pinnated and 
sharp-tailed grouse the heavy roar and steady flight of a magnificent 
black-breasted long-tailed old sage cock offers far too easy a target, 
and the birds soon become scarce when the country is settled. 
. Considering their quiet dispositions and large size it seems strange 
that they have never been domesticated. The young birds are as 
delicious as any grouse, and while the old ones are often flavored 
with sage, a wliolesome wormwood bitter, they can usually be cooked 
so that the flavor will not be noticed, Vernon Bailey. 

Mr. Frank Bond explains the fact that the chest feathers of the 
grouse become worn off during the breeding season. He says : 
"During the months of April and May the sage cocks are usually 
found in small flocks of a half dozen or more, stalking about with 
tails erect and spread after the manner of the strutting turkey cock. 
. . . Instead of dragging its wings upon the ground the sage cock 
will enormously inflate the air sacs of the neck until the whole neck 
and breast is balloon -like in appearance, then stooping forward almost 
the entire weight of the body is thrown upon the distended portion 
and the bird slides along on the bare ground or short grass for some 
distance, the performance being concluded by the expulsion of the 
air from the sacs, with a variety of chuckling, cackling, or rum- 
bling sounds. This performance is continued probably daily during 
the pairing and nesting season, and of course the feathers are worn 
away by the constant friction." {The Auk, xvii. 325.) 

FAMILY PHASIANIDiE: PHEASANTS AND 
TURKEYS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Head naked, skin wrinkled and warted .... Meleagris, p. 186. 
I'.Head feathered, except sometimes around eye. 

2. Head not crpsted Phasianus, p. 134. 

2'. Head conspicuously crested. 

3. Neck with conspicuous erectile ruff . Chrysolophus, p. 135. 
3'. Neck without ruff Gennaeus, p. 135. 

GENUS PHASIAWUS. 

General Characters. — Head not crested ; male with brilliant metallic 
colors and handsome markings, tail leng-thened, graduated, and vaulted, 
the feathers usually tapering- to a point. Female much smaller and 
brownish, with upper parts more or less mottled, spotted, and marked with 
dusky. 

A dozen or more pheasants have been introduced into the United 
States, but the ring-necked is the only one that has thus far gained 
a foothold in the west. 



PHEASANTS AND TURKEYS 135 

KEY TO ADULT MALE PHASIANU8. 

1. Neck metallic greenish or bluish. 

2. Breast coppery eh«stnut torquatus, p. 135. 

2'. Breast dark green versicolor, p. 135. 

1'. Neck chestnut, with coppery and purple reflections. 

soenimerringii, p. 135. 

Phasianus torquatus Gmel. Ring-necked Pheasant. 

Adult male. — Neck metallic greenish or bluish, back of head tufted ; 
breast rich coppery chestnut, with metallic purple and coppery reflections ; 
neck wholly or partly encircled by white collar. Adult female : tail 
brown, barred with black and white. Male : length 2| feet, wing 9.50- 
10.50, tail 17.50-20.00. Female : length 20-24, wing 8.50, taH 11-12. 

Distribution. — Southern Siberia, Corea, and northeastern China. Intro- 
duced into twenty-five states. 

Phasianus versicolor Vieill. Green Pheasant. 

Adult male. — Neck metallic green or blue, back of head tufted ; breast, 
sides, and flanks dark green. Adult female : tail barred over reddish or 
purplish ground. Male : length 24-27, wing 9.60, tail 16. Female : 
length 20, wing 8.25, tail 10.50. 

Distribution. — Japan, except Yezo. Introduced, but apparently with 
little success, in western Oregon. 

Phasianus soeninierringia Temm. Copper Pheasant. 

Adult male. — Chestnut and rufous, glossed with coppery red and pur- 
plish ; rump broadly streaked with white,, tail broadly banded. Adult 
female : tail, except four middle feathers, brown, with subterminal black 
bar and white tip. Male : length 36, wing 9, tail 28. Female : length 
18-20, wing 8.25, tail 8.50. 

Distribution. — Niphon and Kuisui, Japan. Introduced, but without 
apparent success, in western Oregon. 

GENUS CHRYSOLOPHUS. 

General Characters. — Head crested, neck with conspicuous erectile ru£P. 

Chrysolophus pictus. Golden Pheasant. 

Adult male. — Ruff or cape golden orange, barred with black ; entire 
under parts, except chin and throat, bright red ; tail brown, barred, and 
reticulated with black. Adult female : upper parts mottled brown, heavily 
barred with dusky on top and back of head, wings, neck, chest, sides, and 
flanks ; rest of under parts plain light buff. Male : length 40, wing 7.70, 
tail 27. Female : length 24, wing 7, tail 14. 

Distribution. — Mountains of southern China. Introduced in western 
Oregon, and Protection Island, Washington, and recently in New Mexico. 

GENUS GENN^US. 

Gennseus nycthemerus Linn. Sllver Pheasant. 

Adult male. — Crest and under parts glossy blue black ; face, legs, and 
feet bright red ; rest of upper parts pure white, marked with V-shaped 
pencilings of black. Adult female : brown, under parts with paler shaft 
streaks, posterior parts and thighs irregularly mottled with zigzag lines of 
dusky ; tail, except middle feathers, irregularly barred with black and 



136 PHEASANTS AND TURKEYS 

white ; face, legs, and feet dull red. Male : length 40, wing 10.50, tail 
24. Female : length 20.50, wing 9.10, tail 9.80. 

Distribution. — Southern China. Introduced into western Oregon and 
Protection Island, Washington. 

GENUS MELEAGRIS. 

General Characters. — Head and upper neck naked ; the skin wrinkled 
or warted, the forehead with extensile appendage, smaller in females ; 
tail rounded, tarsus naked, spurred in male ; sexes similar, but females 
duller. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail coverts tipped with buffy whitish .... merriami, p. 136. 
1'. Tail coverts tipped with brown. 

2. Tail coverts tipped with dark chestnut fera, p. 136. 

2'. Tail coverts tipped with cinnamon or cinnamon buff. 

intermedia, p. 136. 

310. Meleagris gallopavo merriami iVeZson. Merriam Tur- 
key. 

Adult male. — Head and neck bare, dull bluish, strip of skin hanging 
from above bill ; chest with bristly tuft of beard ; feathers of under parts 
metallic bronzy green and reddish, tipped with velvet black ; feathers of 
lower back and rump metallic, tipped with black ; tail, tail coverts, and 
feathers of lower rump tipped with huffy whitish. Adult female : similar, but 
smaller, and colors duller. Male: length 48-50, wing- 21, tail 18.50. 

Distribution. — Mountains of southern Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, 
western Texas, and northern Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. 

Nest. — A hollow lined with leaves, weeds, and grass, sometimes under 
shelter of a yucca, grass, or bushes. Eggs : 8 to 14, white, dotted over 
entire surface with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects, seeds, berries, plant tops, and cactus fruit. 

In the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona one may occasion- 
ally find wild turkeys. In Arizona they have been seen by shep- 
herds in the notches between the highest peaks of San Francisco 
Mountain. 

310a. M. g. fera (Vieill.). Wild Turkey. 

Like M. g. merriami, but tail tipped with deep rusty, coverts and feathers 
of lower rump rich dark chestnut. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States from southwestern Pennsylvania 
to the Gulf coast, and west to southwestern Kansas along wooded river 
valleys. 

Nest. — On the ground, sometimes lined with leaves and pine needles. 
Fggs : 8 to 13, creamy to bufpy, marked with brown. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects ; acorns, nuts, seeds, 
grain, berries, and plant tops. 

310c. M. g. intermedia Sennett. Rio Grande Turkey. 

Similar to M. g. merriami, but lower back and rump jet black — feathers 
showing steel gray bars in certain lights — and tail and lower coverts 
tipped with cinnamon or cinnamon buff. 

Distribution. — Lowlaiids of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. 



CURRASSOWS AND GUANS 137 

Over most of the country where the wild turkeys were once plenty 
they have now become scarce or extinct, but in a few places may 
still be found in something like their original abundance, living 
muqh as their ancestors lived, breeding unmolested, strolling through 
the woods in flocks, and gathering at night in goodly numbers in 
their favorite roosting-places. Perhaps the best of these undevastated 
regions are on the big stock ranches of southern Texas, where the 
birds are protected not by loosely formed and unenforced game laws, 
but by the care of owners of large ranches, who would as soon 
think of exterminating their herds of cattle as of shooting more than 
the normal increase of game under their control. Here, at least 
through the breeding season, the turkeys are not more wary than 
many of the other large birds, and as we surprised them in the half 
open mesquite woods along the Nueces River would rarely fly, 
merely sneaking into the thickets, or at most running from us. 

The ranchmen say that the turkeys always select trees over water 
to roost in when possible, and no doubt they do it for protection in 
this region where foxes, coyotes, and wildcats abound. On the 
edge of the flooded bottoms of the Nueces River they roosted in the 
partially submerged huisache trees. A loud gobble just at dusk led 
us to their cover, and crouching low to get the sky for a background 
we could see the big forms coming in singly or in twos or threes, 
and hear the strong wing beats as they passed on to alight in the 
huisaches out in the water. When the noise of their wings and the 
rattling of branches had subsided, with a few gobbles from different 
quarters they settled down for the night. The next morning, as 
the darkness began to thin and a light streak appeared in the east, a 
long loud gobble broke the stillness, followed by gobble after gob- 
ble from awakening birds in different parts of the bottoms, and 
before it was half daylight the heavy wliisJi wMsh of big wings 
passed overhead, as the turkeys with strong, rapid flight took their 
way back to the higher ridges. Vernon Bailey. 

FAMILY CRACIDiE: CURRASSCWS AND GUANS. 

GENUS ORTALIS. 

311. Ortalis vetula maccalli Baird. Chachalaca. 

Adults. — Upper parts plain olive, slig-htly g-lossed with bronzy green ; 
head and neck ting'ed with dull slaty ; tail fan-shaped, from dusky bronzy 
green to blue black, fan, except for middle feathers, broadly bordered 
with white ; bare skin on throat orang-e ; chest dull grayish green ; rest of 
under parts ding-y bufBy brownish, deepening- on under tail coverts. 
Length : 19.75-24.00, wing 7.50-8.50, tail 9.00-10.50. 

Distribution. — Resident in northeastern Mexico, from Vera Cruz north 
to lower Rio Grande valley in Texas. 

Nest. — Usually in a twig-and -leaf -filled cavity of a mesquite-tree. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, white, rough, and strongly granulated. 



138 PIGEONS 

The chachalaca comes into the lower Rio Grande valley of Texas, 
but probably does not range more than fifty miles north of the 
Mexican line. It keeps within the mesquite and chaparral, where 
it calls from the treetops at sunrise and sunset, pronouncing its 
local name, chachalac, in loud tones. Dr. Merrill says that it is 
much hunted for the Brownsville market. 

ORDER COLUMB^: PIGEONS. 
FAMILY COLUMBIDiE : PIGEONS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tarsus shorter than side toes. 

2. Tail slightly rounded, feathers broad at tips . Columba, p. 138. 
2'. Tail graduated, feathers narrow and pointed at tips. 

Ectopistes, p. 140. 
1'. Tarsus longer than side toes. 
2. Wing less than 4. 

3. Tail equal to or longer than wing, narrowing to a point. 

Scardafella, p. 148. 
3'. Tail shorter than wing, wide at end . Columbigallina, p. 143. 
2'. Wing more than 5. 

3. Tip of outer quill abruptly narrowed . . . Leptotila, p. 141. 
3'. Tip of outer quill not abruptly narrowed. 

4. Tail feathers 12, tail rounded Melopelia, p. 142. 

4'. Tail feathers 14, tail graduated .... Zenaidura, p. 140. 

GENUS COLUMBA. 

General Characters. — Tail much shorter than wing, slightly rounded, 
the feathers broad and rounded or nearly square at tip ; wings pointed ; 
side toes of about equal length. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail banded fasciata, p. 138. 

r. Tail uniform slaty black . flavirostris, p. 140. 

312. Columba fasciata -Sa^. Band-tailed Pigeon. 

Adult male. — End of tail with broad — two inch — band, pale gray, bor- 
dered above by black ; back of neck 
irith white collar adjoined by iridescent 
uonzy patch spreading back as a 
greenish wash ; head and under parts 
purplish pink, fading to whitish on 
^^- "^*" belly ; fore part of back tinged with 

brownish, hinder part bluish gray ; wing quills blackish, coverts bluish 
gray, faintly edged with white. Adult female : like male but duller and 
much grayer ; white nuchal band often obsolete, iridescent patch restricted, 
head grayish instead of pink, under parts largely grayish. Young : with- 
out white on nape, under parts dull grayish, tinged with brown on breast ; 
upper parts with feathers more or less lightly bordered with paler ; head 
and neck dull bluish gray in male, light grayish brown in female. Length : 
15-16, wing 8.00-8.80, tail 6.00-6.50. 




PIGEONS 139 

Distribution. — Transition zone, from British Columbia south through 
Mexico to Guatemala, eastward to Colorado and to western Texas. 

Nest. — When eggs are not laid on the ground or in the nest of some 
other bird, a slight platform of twigs on the. flat limb of a tree. Eggs : 1 
or 2, white. 

Food. — Mainly acorns, but also young sycamore balls, grain, wild ber- 
ries, such as elder, salmon, pigeon, mulberry, and manzanita ; and honey 
from the century plant flowers. 

Though the band-tailed pigeons are sometimes common in the 
large river-bottoms where cotton wood balls, alder seeds, and berries 
abound, they live mainly on mast and breed principally on the edge 
of Upper Sonoran zone where the oaks and pines intermingle. The 
acorn crop of the year apparently governs their movements. In 
good acorn winters, Mr. G-rinnell says, they sometimes appear in 
flocks of hundreds in the oak regions of southern California. Near 
Seattle, Mr. Rathbon reports, they are in need of protection, as they 
are hunted so continuously that they are in danger of becoming rare 
birds. 

At Beaverton, Oregon, Mr. Anthony has found them abundant 
around a mineral spring, and in the arid mountains of the southwest 
they gather, often in large numbers, at the springs and water holes. 
When they come flying in to water the noise of their wings is star- 
tling. It is a loud flapping, as different from the musical whirr of 
the mourning dove as their heavy flight is from the light swerving 
flight of the dove, and as the square tail is from the long pointed 
one of the dove. Though the noise made by the wings of fasciata 
is striking at all times, when one of the birds projects himself down 
a mountain-side on his way to water, the sound produced has been 
compared to the escape of steam from an engine. 

The band on their tails shows sometimes at a turn in flight, but 
most conspicuously on alighting, for then they spread their tails, 
and at a distance the band looks almost white. 

If .you follow the pigeons to their breeding-grounds in some re- 
mote canyon you will be struck by the owl-like hooting that fills the 
place, and you will locate the sound here and there along the sides 
of the canyon at dead treetops, in each of w^hich a solitary male is 
sunning himself, at intervals puffing out his breast and hooting. 
The hooting varies considerably. Sometimes it is a calm wlioo'-hoo- 
hoo, lolioo'-Jioo-hoo, at others a spirited hoop' -ah-iclioo' , and again a two 
syllabled iDhoo'-ngli, made up of a short hard hoot and a long coo, as 
if the breath was sharply expelled for the first note and drawn in for 
the second. 

The breeding season has been said to cover nearly every month of 
the year in Arizona, and in the Guadalupe Moimtains, Texas, we 
found nests with eggs the latter part of August. 



140 PIGEONS 

313. Columba flavirostris TFa^/. Red-billed Pigeon. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, and under parts dull pinkish purple, except 
for tawny chin, slaty belly and under tail coverts ; wing- coverts with red- 
dish brown patch, fore part of neck brownish, hinder part, wings, and tail 
bluish gray, blackish on quills and end of tail. Adult female : similar but 
smaller and duller. Young : colors dull, tinged with ashy. Length : 13.75- 
14.60, wing about 7.50-7.80, tail 5.40-5.50. 

Distribution. — From southern parts of Texas and Lower California, 
south through Mexico and Central America. 

yest. — A platform of twigs, in thickets or groves of ash-trees. Egg : 
white. 

The red-billed pigeon was found by Mr. Sennett in the timber of 
the lower Rio Grande. He says it is a secluded bird, and that its 
cooing is clear, short, and rather high-pitched. 

GENTJS ECTOPISTES. 

315. Ectopistes migratorius {Linn.). Passenger Pigeon. 
Tail nearly as long as wing, graduated, the feathei-s narrow and pointed 

at tips ; tarsus short, feathered part way down in front ; side toes unequal. 

Adult male. — Head and neck bluish gTay ; under parts deep pinkish 
brown, becoming pinkish on sides and white on belly ; nape and sides of 
head glossed with metallic reddish purple ; wings and back brown, Axdngs 
spotted with black ; rump bluish gray, tail changing from blackish on 
middle feathers to white on outer webs of outer feathers ; inner webs with 
black and rufous spots. Adult female : similar but head brownish, pink 
of under parts replaced by brow^i ; metallic gloss less distinct. Young : 
feathers of fore parts tipped with white, giving a mottled appearance, 
quills edged with rusty. Length : 15.00-17.25, wing 8.00-8.50, tail 8.20- 
8.75. Female somewhat smaller. 

Distribution. — Formerly eastern North America from Hudson Bay 
southward, and west to the plains ; accidental in Nevada and Washington. 
Now nearly extinct. A few pairs supposed to be left in Canada, Manitoba, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

GEKTTS ZENAIDUKA. 

316. Zenaidura macroura (iiVm.). Modtining Dove. 

Tail of fourteen feathers, graduated, more than two thirds as long as 
wing ; feathers more or less narrowed at tips ; 
wings pointed ; tarsus naked ; side toes of unequal 
length, the outer shortest ; space around the eye 
bare. Adult male : tail bordered with white and 
with subterminal black spots; back and wings 
with a few roundish black spots ; rest of upper 
^T^^oQg parts brown ; top of head washed with bluish gray, 

sides of head with blue-black spot and pink 
iridescence ; under parts brownish, tinged with pink on breast. Adult 
female: similar but paler throughout, with little if any bluish gray on head, 
black ear spot smaller, and metallic gloss less distinct. Young: duller 
than female, without metallic gloss or distinct ear spot ; feathers of upper 
parts and breast with gravish tips. Length: 11-18, wing 5.70-0.10, tail 
5.70-6.50, bill .50-.55. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper and Lower Sonoran zones 




PIGEONS 141 

throughout the United States, and southern parts of Ontario, Manitoba, 
and British Columbia, migrating- to Panama and the West Indies. Migra- 
tory in the northern part of its rang-e. 

Nest. — A frail platform of twigs usually on a flat branch 10 to 20 
feet from the ground, but also on the ground, on cliffs, in cactus, bushes, 
and trees as high as 50 feet from the g-round. Eggs : usually 2, white. 

Food. — Snails and other mollusks, millepeds, cicadas and other insects, 
grain, weed seeds, acorns, berries, and plant tops. 

The free, swift flight of the mourning dove and the skill with 
which he manages his airship proclaim him a traveler. As he 
shoots by overhead he cuts the air with the hiss of a bullet, his 
plumage almost as compact and smooth as the nose of a mauser, 
his long tail narrowed to a frictionless knife-blade. As his powerful 
wings bear him swiftly on, their least turn swerves his course, but 
he never lessens speed till the goal is reached. After watching him 
it seems small wonder that he should be a cosmopolitan, bound to 
no one migration route, but as much at home in New England as 
Oregon, in Canada as southern California. 

In the dry part of Arizona the doves often nest a long distance 
from water, but fly back and forth to it in pairs or small companies 
twice a day. The old mountaineers, knowing their habits, follow 
them when in search of the rare water-holes. 

Although the doves abound in remote mountains and desert 
lands, they are also much given to human society, and often nest 
around barnyards and buildings, where they pick up grain that has 
fallen to the ground. 

As many of the doves are seen in pairs during the winter, Major 
Bendire infers that a number remain mated throughout the year. 
He renders their love-notes as cdff, cdd, rdd; mdd, da, 666, 666, 666. 

GENUS LEPTOTILA. 

318. Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera (SaZyac?.). White- 
fronted Dove. 

First primary abruptly cut out near end ; tail much shorter than wings, 
rounded, feathers twelve ; tarsus naked ; side toes nearly equal. Adult 
male : forehead and throat whitish, breast pale pinkish ; rest of under 
parts whitish ; back of head and fore part of back iridescent ; rest of 
upper parts dark brown ; tail becoming blackish, tipped with white ; 
under wing coverts and axillars deep reddish brown. Adult female : 
similar to the male but duller colored, and metallic gloss less distinct. 
Length: 11..50-12.50, wings 6.00-6.50, tail 4.25-4.50. 

Distribution. — Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and south- 
ward to Mexico and Guatemala. 

Nest. — Rather bulky for a dove, made of branches and straw, and 
placed usually in thorny bushes. Eggs : 2, cream buff. 

Food. — Said to be principally fruit. 

The white-fronted dove frequents the timber of the lower Rio 




142 PIGEONS 

Grande valley, where it may be found, Mr. Sennett says, by the 
peculiar note which distinguishes it from all other pigeons. 

GENUS MELOPELIA. 

319. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn.). White-winged Dove. 
Tail rounded, shorter than wing, of twelve broad, rounded feathers ; 

wings pointed ; bill slender and length- 
ened, equaling tarsus ; a large bare 
space around eye. Adult male : wing 
with large white patch on coverts, 
^' " ■ conspicuous against black quills ; tail 

bluish gray, broadly tipped with white preceded by black, two middle 
feathers brown ; sides of head with bluish black spot next to bronzy iri- 
descent patch ; top of head and neck dull pinkish ; rest of upper parts 
brownish, except for bluish graj^ of lower back ; under parts soft fawn 
color, fading to whitish. Adult female : similar but smaller and duller. 
Young : like female but still duller, feathers of upper parts tipped with 
paler and breast with rusty tinge. Length : 11.00-12.25, wing 6.30-6.80, 
tail 4.80-5.25. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran and Tropical zones from 
Florida and Texas to Arizona, and south through Lower California and 
Mexico to Costa Rica, Cuba, and Jamaica. Casual in Colorado. 

Nest. — A frail platform of interlaced sticks, lined with weeds, dry 
grass, and often mesquite leaf stems, placed in mesquite, walnut, willow, 
or cactus, from 6 to 30 feet from the ground. Eggs : 2, white. 

Food. — Insects, small seeds, grain, berries, mesquite beans, and cactus 
fruit. 

As the jay seems a part of the mountain forest, the horned lark 
of the prairie, and the sage thrasher inseparable from the sagebrush 
plains, so the white-winged dove belongs to the hot cactus and 
mesquite valleys of the lower Colorado, Gila, and Rio Grande. 
Though often seen perching on a giant cactus, its life is largely 
spent in the mesquite, and its plump form is so constantly seen 
through the thin mesquite foliage that it comes to seem almost like 
a fruit of the tree. Now the dove is only perching there, beside a 
water-pool, now on a branch acting as sentinel while a hungry flock 
is down in a patch of wild sunflower or the wheatfield of the 
rancheria ; but in the nesting season it has taken up its abode in 
the tree and is building its nest and rearing its young in the protec- 
tion of the thorny branches. 

So closely is it associated with the mesquite country that even its 
monotonous whoo-hoo' -hoo-hoo' calls up pictures of desert thorn-brush 
and 'dobe walls, over which the large, handsome bird is flying with 
white bands outspread on wings and tail. Its note is an exaggerated 
form of the coo common to the family. To make it the dove puffs 
out his throat like a pouter pigeon, emitting the curious hollow 
sound which is more suggestive of the hooting of an owl than the 
languid cooing of a dove. Vernon Bailey. 



. PIGEONS 143 

GENUS CDliUMBIGALLINA. 

320a. Columbigallina passerina pallescens (Baird). Mex- 
ican Ground Dove. 

Wings short and broad, with elong-ated inner secondaries nearly over- 
reaching primaries in the folded wing ; tail shorter than wing, nearly even, 
of twelve broad feathers ; tarsus as long as middle toe without claw. 
Adult male: back of head and neck bluish, feathers 
suggesting scales ; forehead, sides of head, and 
under parts pinkish ; breast feathers brown cen- 
trally ; upper parts grayish, wings with inner webs Fig. 210. 
of quills bright reddish brown, coverts with blue 

black spots ; tail nearly even, blackish, except for middle feathers and 
white corners. Adult female : similar but much duller, pink replaced by 
pale brownish, blue by brownish gray ; spots on wing coverts brown. 
Young : like female but duller, more grayish ; feathers, especially on upper 
parts, tipped with whitish. Wing: 3..30-O.60, exposed culmen .42-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran and Tropical zones from Texas 
to Arizona and south through Lower California and other parts of Mexico 
to Central America. 

Nest. — Small and sometimes compact, of twigs or plant stalks, some- 
times lined with a few straws, placed in a bush or tree 3 to 20 feet from 
the ground. Eggs : 2, usually white. 

Food. — Small seeds, grain, and berries. 

The ground dove is a friendly little bird, staying wherever it can 
find seeds or refuse grain, whether it be in town streets, horse cor- 
rals, or on the picket line of an army post. In the fall, when weed 
seeds are abundant, Mr, Herbert Brown has seen flocks of fifty about 
Tucson, Arizona, but ordinarily they are in pairs or small flocks. 

GENUS SCARDAFELLA. 

321. Scardafella inca {Less.). Inca Dove. 

Tail double rounded, middle and outside feathers both shorter than 
those between, twelve in number, all narrow and tapering ; tarsus very 
short, slightly feathered above. Adults : whole 
body apparently scaled ; upper parts brownish ; 
inner webs of wing quills mainly reddish brown ; ij"' on 

tail brown and black, two outer feathers largely ^^' 

white ; under parts pale grayish pink, changing to buff on belly ; under 
wing coverts partly black. Young : similar but duller, and upper parts 
somewhat mottled by occasional whitish tips to feathers. Length : 8.00, 
wing 3.70-3.75, tail 4.00-4.40. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from the Rio Grande 
valley of Texas and southern Arizona ; south through Lower California 
and other parts of Mexico to Nicaragua. 

Nest. — In cactus, mesquite, acacias, or small oaks, 5 to 10 feet from 
the ground, made of twigs and grasses. Eggs : 2, white. 

These dainty little doves are more than half civilized. You find 
them on the roads, in the barnyard, the orchard, and the village 
street — rarely away from ground trampled by man. They join 
the poultry at breakfast, and pick the grain that is scattered along 



144 VULTURES 

the roads, gathering the weed seeds by the way. From their quick 
motions and constant haste one might think they were catching 
fleeing grasshoppers rather than stationary seeds. They go patter- 
ing about, bobbing their heads and keeping up a rapid, hard little 
cooing that has scarcely a suggestion of the soft dove tones. In the 
breeding season this is the first thing heard in the morning, and it 
is kept up well into the glowing heat of the day, usually given 
from the ground, but sometimes from the branches of trees. 

Vernon Bailey. 



ORDER RAPTORES: BIRDS OP PREY. 

(Families Cathartid^, Falconid^, Strigid^, Bubonid^.) 

FAMILY CATHARTIDiE: VULTURES. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Wing 30 or more Gymnogyps, p. 144. 

1'. Wing- less than 25. 

2. Head red Cathartes, p. 145. 

2'. Head black Catharista, p. 146. 

GENUS GYMNOGYPS. 

324. Gymnogyps calif ornianus (Shav;). California Vul- 
ture : Condor. 

Wing 30 or more ; head and entire neck bare, skin smooth ; plumage of 
Under parts lanceolate or pencillate ; head much elongated, forehead flat- 
tened ; nostril small, its anterior end acute ; bill small, mandibles broader 
than deep ; wings folding to or beyond end of square tail. Adults : head 
and neck bare, yellow, or orange in life ; bill whitish or pale yellowish ; 
plumage sooty blackish ; outer webs of greater wing coverts and second- 
aries grayish, wing coverts tipped with white and outer secondaries edged 
with white ; axillars and under wing coverts pure white. Young : like 
adults, but neck more or less covered with sooty grayish down, bill and 
naked skin blackish ; brown edgings of feathers of upper parts producing 
a scaled effect ; white of under wings and gray webbing of coverts and 
secondaries wanting. Length : 44-55, extent 8+ to nearly 11 feet ; weight 
20-25 pounds, wing 30-35, tail 15-18, bill 1.50. 

Remarks. — The vulture can be distinguished in the field by its great 
size and its white under wing coverts. 

Distribution. — Coast ranges of southern California from Monterey Bay 
south to Lower California, and east to Arizona. 

Nest. — A cavity or recess among rocks, or hollow in a stump, log, or 
tree trunk. Eggs : 1 or 2, plain grayish green, or greenish white. 

Food. — Carrion. 

To come upon the California vulture alive and free is like sud- 
denly coming to a giant sequoia towering above the forest. The 
sequoia awes you with the feeling of immensity, and the forest 






VULTURES 145 

trees that you had looked up to as very large are suddenly dwarfed. 
The same thrill strikes you when overhead the great wings of the 
vulture spread out and with mighty strokes carry the huge bird in 
wide circles up through the sky; and, as you look down, the turkey 
buzzards sailing below seem little more than circling swallows. 

Vernon Bailey. 

The sight of a single California vulture is more than is vouch- 
safed to most naturalists, but in 1894 Mr. Stephens actually en- 
countered a flock of twenty-six of these magnificent birds. 

The condor is certainly one of the glories of the splendid state of 
California, and every patriotic naturalist should do his part to enforce 
the law for its protection. 

GElSrUS CATHARTES. 

325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). Turkey Vulture. 

Whole head and upper part of neck naked, the skin corrugated and 
sparingly bristled ; nostrils large, elliptical ; wings 
long, pointed, folding to or beyond the short round tail. 
Adults : head bare and crimson in life, bill white ; 
lores and top of head sometimes with wart-like papil- 
lae ; neck and under parts dull black ; upper parts 
blackish glossed with green and purple, feathers 
broadly edged witli grayish brown, secondaries edged 
with gray ; shafts of quills and tail feathers varying 
from pale brown to yellowish white. Young : like ^^S- 212. 

adults, but bill and naked skin blackish, brownish margins to wing cov- 
erts less distinct. Length : 26-32, extent about 6 feet, wing 20-23, tail 
11-12, bill 1. 

Distribution. — Breeds throughout most of temperate and tropical Amer- 
ica, from the Saskatchewan south to Patagonia. 

Eggs. — Laid in a cavern, a cavity between rocks, or a hollow in a log, 
stump, or tree trunk ; 2, white, buffy, or greenish white, more or less 
spotted or blotched with rich brown and purplish gray. 

Food. — Carrion. 

One of the most familiar sights in southern and western skies is 
the dark form of the turkey buzzard circling and soaring on out- 
spread wings, its black body figure, as seen from below, set in a 
bordering of gray wing. As the birds float in the sky apparently 
wafted by every passing breeze they are keeping a sharp lookout 
over the land outspread beneath them, and so quickl}^ discover any 
carrion that the ranchmen, who are numbered among their con- 
stituents, find it quite unnecessary to bury their offal, depending 
entirely upon the good offices of this self-constituted garbage com- 
mittee of Nature's Board of Health. Along the Columbia River the 
buzzards dispose of the dead fish on the shores. 

From the character of their food and their habit of eating on the 
ground instead of carrying their quarry to a tree, the bills and feet 




146 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

of the vultures are modified from the hawk types. The bill is less 
sharply pointed and powerful, while the feet instead of having 
curved talons have an elongated middle toe well adapted to walking 
on the ground, or steadying the large body as the bird stands on the 
carrion it is devouring. 

When walking, the vultures often hold their wings out at their 
sides, harpy fashion ; and sometimes as they rise they fly so low over 
your head that you hear a loud puff, puff, puff, puff, as they flap past. 

While usually solitary or in scattered companies they gather 
quickly at a carcass, and at night often assemble in large flocks to 
roost in a favorite grove of cottonwoods. Mr. Evermann reports over 
a hundred roosting in a eucalyptus grove. 

GENUS CATHARISTA. 

326. Catharista urubu (F«e?7i,'.). Black Vulture. 

Head naked, but feathers of neck running- up behind to a point on the 
back of the head ; nostrils narrow ; wings not folding to the end of the 
short, even, or emarginate tail. Adults : head hare, blackish, bill blackish, 
with yellowish or whitish tip ; whole body dull black ; wing quills with 
white shafts, and webbing on under side hoary whitish. Length : 23-27, 
extent about 54, wing 16.50-17.50, tail 7.50-8.50, bill .90-.95. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran and Tropical zones from the 
Atlantic to western Texas, and from North Carolina, Indiana, and Kansas 
south over most of South America. Straggles to New England and South 
Dakota. 

Eggs. — Laid on the ground under bushes or logs, or on rocks ; 1 to 3, 
pale grayish green, irregularly marked around the larger end with brown 
and sometimes lavender. 

Food. — Carrion. 

Although the turkey buzzard and black vultures resemble each 
other in general, you can recognize the black vulture in the sky at 
a glance by the shortness of its square tail. You also come to dis- 
tinguish its flight, for while a turkey buzzard sails around smoothly 
on a level, the black vulture's short wings and abbreviated tail often 
give its body a peculiar tilt and a bat-like effect of climbing up the 
air. In flying to the groiind, its whitish under wing tips are a 
striking character. 

FAMILY FALCONIDiE: FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, 

ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1, Wing 17-21. 




2. Claws all the same length, rounded on under side. '^* 

Pandion, p. 172. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



147 





2'. Claws not all the same length, grooved on under side. 

3. Tarsus feathered to base of toes Aquila, p. 163. 

3'. Tarsus not feathered to base of toes .... Halieeetus, p. 165. 
1'. Wing" less than 17. 

2. Wing with only one or two quills cut out on 

inner webs. Fig. 214. 

^^kXy^ ^' Nostril circular, with conspicuous bony tubercle. 

^^ J. Falco, p. 165. 

Fig. 215. 3'. Nostril not circular, without bony tubercle. 



4. Tail deeply forked. 

Elanoides, p. 148. 



Fig. 216. 
4'. Tail not deeply forked. 
Fig. 217. 5. Tarsus minutely scaled in front . . Elanus, p. 148. 

5'. Tarsus coarsely scaled in front. 
Ictinia, p. 149. 
2'. Wing' with three to five quills cut out on inner 
webs. 
3. Face with owl-like ruff of stiff feathers. Fig. 218. 

Circus, p. 150. 
3'. Face without owl-like ruff of stiff feathers. 

4. Legs feathered to toes Archibuteo, p. 162. 

4'. Legs not feathered to toes. 



i!^V^ 5. Nostrils oblique and linear, slanting forward to cut- 
ting edge of bill Polyborus, p. 171. 



5'. Nostrils not oblique or linear. 

6. Tail decidedly more than two thirds as long as 
wing. 
7. Lores nearly naked . . . Parabuteo, p. 154. 
7'. Lores densely feathered . Accipiter, p. 151. 
6'. Tail not more than two thirds as long as wing. 
7. Primaries exceeding secondaries by less than 
naked front of tarsus . Urubitinga, p. ICO. 
7'. Primaries exceeding secondaries by much more 
than naked front of tarsus. 
8. Adults with under parts barred gray and 
white ; wing less than four times as long as 

tarsus Asturina, p. 161. 

8'. Adults with under parts not barred gray and 
white ; wing more than four times as long as 
tarsus Buteo, p. 155. 




Fig. 219. 



148 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



GENUS ELANOIDES. 

327. Elanoides forficatus (Linn.). Swallow-tailed Kite. 
Wings long, slender, acute ; tail forked, and nearly as long as wing ; 
feet short but stout; tarsus feathered 
about half way down in front ; bill rather 
weak. Adults : white ; back, wings, and 
tall black, bloomed with gray ; lesser wing 
coverts bronzy purple. Young : head 
and neck streaked, back brownish, with 
greenish instead of purple gloss ; wings 
and tail feathers narrowly tipped with 
white. Length : 19.50-25.50, wing 15.40- 
17.70, outer tail feathers 12.50-14.50, bill 
.70-.80. 

Distribution. — From Assiniboia south 
to tSonth America, and, in the United 
kStates, from the Carolinas west to the 
Plains ; casually to Colorado and south- 
ern New England. Breeds irregularly 
throughout its United States range. 

Nest. — In tops of tall trees, usually 
near watercourses, made of dry twigs and 
sometimes of gray moss. Eggs : 1 to 4, 
white or bvifPy, boldly spotted or blotched, 
chiefly around larger end, with browns. 

Food. — Mainly reptiles and insects. 




1 oin B 



logical Siuvi.'y,U. 
Agriculture. 



Fig. 220. 



The swallow-tailed kite lives mainly on the wing and by virtue of 
its long tall has a remarkably graceful flight. When hunting it 
flies close to the ground like a marsh hawk, but at other times sails 
above the treetops, sometimes so far above that it takes a good eye 
to see it. The kite picks up both food artd nesting materials while 
on the wing, carrying its food in its talons and eating as it goes. 
Its call-notes have been given as a shrill, keen e-e-e or we-we-we, uttered 
in a high key which carries a long distance. 



GENUS ELANUS. 
328. Elanus leucurus (Fi'eiY/.). White-t.\iled Kite. 

Bill rather weak and compressed ; feet very small ; tarsus feathered 
half way down in front, and below covered with minute roundish scales; 
claws not grooved beneath ; hind toe very short, claws all small and little 
curved ; wings nearly or about twice as long as tail, pointed, first and 
second quills emarginate, the feathers broad, obtuse at tips. Adults : 
under parts white, upper parts plain bluish gray, except for white top of 
head and tail, and black patches around eye and on shoulders. Young : re- 
sembling adults, but tinged with rusty, extensively on under parts ; upper 
parts indistinctly streaked ; wing feathers tipped with white ; tail with an 
indistinct subterminal dusky band. Length: 15.15-16.75, wing 11.50- 
13.30, tail 5.90-7.40, bill .05-.80. 

Distribution. — Tropical America, except the West Indies ; north in the 
United States to about the latitude of San Francisco on the Pacific coast, 
St. Louis in the interior, and South Carolina in the east. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



149 



Nest. — Generally in live oaks, made of wigs, lined with stubble and 
grasses. Eggs : S to 5, ground color white, heavily marked over entire 
surface with blotches of red and brown. 

Food. — Small snakes, lizards, frogs, and insects such as grasshoppers 
and beetles. 

The white-tailed kites frequent lowland valleys, breeding when 
possible near streams or marshes, where they hide their nests in the 
tops of oaks or willows. 

Their flight, Mr. Chester Barlow says, is graceful and often quite 
rapid, though it lacks the dash of the falcons. When hunting early 
in the morning, both birds often go together, when they may be 
seen hovering motionless in the air like sparrow hawks. Their 
principal call-note Mr. Barlow gives as a plaintive musical whistle. 

The kites are resident in the oak groves of Santa Clara Valley, and 
frequent the marshes about San Francisco Bay, where Mr. W. K. 
Fisher has found them catching large numbers of the California 
meadow mouse. 



GENUS ICTINIA. 

329. Ictiniamississippiensis (lF«7s.). Mississippi Kite. 

Bill small but robust, cutting- edge of upper mandible scalloped ; wings 
and tail moderate, two outer primaries 
emarginate on inner web, and next two 
sinuate ; feet short and stout ; tarsus scan- 
tily feathered about half way down in 
front, then crossed by large scales ; outer 
and middle toes connected by web for whole 
length of basal joint of middle toe ; claws 
stout, much curved. Adults : head and 
band across wing grayish white ; under 
parts dark gray ; upper parts bluish slate, with 
black tail and long black wing quills ; quills 
with dull reddish brown webbing. Young: 
head streaked black and white, whiter 
on throat ; under parts whitish, heavily 
streaked with dark brown and buffy ; upper 
parts blackish, feathers with convex edges 
brown, gray, or white ; tail and wing quills 
black tipped with white, and without rufous 
webbing. Length : 13.00-15.50, wing 10.60- 
12.30, tail 6-7. 

Distribution. — Breeds chiefly in Lower From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. 
Sonoran zone of the southeastern United of Agriculture. 

States, westward to western Texas, south ^^S- 221. 

to Guatemala ; casually in Upper Sonoran zone to Pennsylvania, Wiscon- 
sin, and Dakota. 

Nest. — Usually an old one of its own or some other bird, in a high tree- 
top ; remodeled by patching up the sides with a few sticks and lining 
with Spanish moss or green leaves. Eggs : 2 or 3, pale bluish green, 
unspotted. 

Food. — Lizards, small snakes, and frogs, together with insects, such as 
the larger beetles, grasshoppers, and locusts. 




^ 



150 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

This sturdy little kite, with its quick flight and graceful form and 
motions, has much the appearance of a falcon, hut its weak bill and 
talons give it an un-falcon-like character and mode of life. Its prey, 
instead of being birds and mammals, is mainly of such low order as 
insects, snakes, and frogs, and its hunting consequently lacks the 
excitement of the chase. It is seen flying low over the prairies 
among the brush patches, or going from tree to tree along the 
streams. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS CIRCUS. 
331. Circus hudsonius (imri.). Maksh Hawk. 

Bill with conspicuous bristles ; face encircled by an owl-like rufB of short 
feathers ; tarsus slender, much longer than middle toe and claw ; a basal 
web between middle and outer toes ; claws large and sharp, much curved ; 
four outer primaries cut out on inner webs, second to fifth on outer webs. 
Adult male : body bluish slate, streaked with white and becoming- pure 
white on rujnp and belly ; under parts lightly specked with reddish brown ; 
tail with 6 or 8 bands, one nearest end widest and blackest ; tips of wing 
black. Adult female and young : brown or rusty, more or less streaked. 
Length : 19.50-24.00, wing 12.90-16.00, tail 8.80-10.50. 

Bemarks. — The facial ruff and large white rump patch are enough to 
distinguish the marsh hawk in any plumage. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Alaska and Hudson Bay to the southern 
border of the United States and winters from about latitude 40° southward 
to Panama and Cuba. 

Nest. — Usually in a marsh or prairie on the ground among rushes, grass, 
or bushes, made of dry grass strengthened with sticks and lined sparsely 
with feathers. Eggs : generally 4 to 6, pale greenish or bluish white, plain, 
or blotched and spotted with pale buff and brownish. 

Food. — Largely meadow mice, young squirrels, rabbits, and ground 
squirrels ; also lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, and insects. 

Marsh hawk and mouse hawk are both appropriate names for these 
soft-winged still-hunters. Fields, marshes, and prairies are their 
hunting grounds, and you may see them sailing slowly and smoothly 
just above the surface of the grass tops, with round owl-like face 
and large eyes turned to the ground beneath, and wings ready for a 
quick dive. Woe to the mouse or gopher that moves in the grass 
under those eyes ! Birds are not such easy prey, and few are cap- 
tured except wounded game birds. Broken-winged quail, grouse, 
or ducks are not left to suffer long. They are quickly discovered 
and eaten. 

The intelligent farmer usually recognizes the value of this hawk 
and the fact that it almost never touches his poultry. He sees it 
skimming over his meadows and diving into the grass for mice, and 
wisely lets it live ; but nevertheless he would be surprised if he 
could figure out how many dollars it saves him during the year. 

Vernon BaiIiEY. 




MARSH HAWK 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



151 



GENUS ACCIPITER. 

General Characters. — Head small, wings short, tail and legs long ; three 
to five outer primaries cut out on inner webs ; tail square or rounded, 
about equal to length of wing. 



KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts gray, finely barred with zigzag lines. 

2. Upper parts clear bluish gray atricapillus, p. 152. 

2'. Upper parts slaty blue inclining to sooty . . . striatulus, p. 153. 
1'. Under parts white, coarsely barred with reddish brown. 

2. Tail rounded cooperii, p. 152. 

2'. Tail even or emarginate velox, p. 151. 

Subgenus Accipiter. 
Length 20 or less ; tarsus feathered for one third or less of its length. 

332. Accipiter velox ( Wils.). Sharp-shinned Hawk. 

Adult male, — Under parts white, heavily barred and spotted with reddish 
brown ; upper parts nearly uniform bluish gray ; tail even or slightly notched. 

with three or four narrow blackish bands, 

and narrow white tip. Adult female : similar, 
but duller, less blue above, less reddish below. 
Young : upper parts dark brown, edged with 
rusty and with hints of white spotting ; under 
parts white, often tinged with buffy, streaked 
vertically with brown ; sides and flanks barred 
with reddish brown. Male : length 10.00-11.50. 
wing 6.10-7.10, tail 5.80-6.10. Female: length 
12.50-14.00, wing 7.80-8.80, tail 6.60-8.20. 

Remarks. — The young are decidedly larger 
than the adults, and the breast markings are 
vertical instead of horizontal. 

Distribution. — Breeds throughout the United 
States, and in the British provinces as far north 
as the Arctic circle ; winters from 40° north ; 
southward to Guatemala. 

Nest. — A remodeled one of crow, magpie, 
or squirrel, or if new, made of dry sticks sparsely 
lined with inner bark or green leaves ; placed 
usually in a dense conifer, about twenty feet 

from the ground. Eggs : 4 or 5, pale bluish or greenish white, fading to 
didl grayish white, most irregularly and heavily blotched, spotted, and 
marbled with brown ; in some specimens ground color almost hidden by 
confluent brown markings. 

Food. — Chiefly birds and young poultry, with a few mice, reptiles, 
batrachians, and insects. 

Among the hawks the sharp -shinned is a veritable bushwhacker. 
His light body, short wings, and long tail enable him to double and 
turn among the brush and branches, and in a noiseless, fox-like way 
pounce over a hedgerow or brush heap into the midst of a flock of 
sparrows, swoop under the low branches and pick his bird from the 
ground, or dart through the treetops and snatch one in mid air from 
the midst of a startled flock. 




From Biological Survey, U. 
Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 222. 



152 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



His small size is so much more than compensated by his audacity 
that one bird often becomes the terror of a poultry yard, taking the 
small and half-grown chickens regularly and sometimes killing and 
eating a full-grown hen of many times its own weight. 

Vernon Bailey. 

333. Accipiter COOperii (Bonap.). Cooper Hawk. 

Adult male. — Under parts white, heavily spotted and barred with red- 
dish brown; top of head black contrasted with 
bluish gray of back ; tail rounded, with 3 or 4 
black bands and narrow white tip. Adult 
female : upper parts duller and less bluish 
than in male ; top of head more brown- 
ish black ; hind neck and sides of head 
washed with dull rusty. Young : upper 
parts dark brown, with rusty edgings and 
suggestion of white spotting ; under parts 
streaked vertically. Male : length 14-17, 
wing 8.85-9.40, tail 7.80-8.30. Female: 
length 18-20, wing 10.10-11.00, taU 9.00- 
10.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds throughout the 
United States and southern British Pro- 
vinces, wintering regularly from about lati- 
tude 40^ southward to southern Mexico, 
though occasionally staying in southern 
Canada. 

Nest. — In trees, 20 to 50 feet from the 
ground, often a remodeled one of other 
hawks, crows, or squirrels, bulky, made of 
large sticks and lined with rough outer 
bark. JEggs : usually 4 or 5, pale bluish 

white to greenish white, unspotted or faintly and irregularly scrawled 

with brown or pale huffy. 

Food. — Almost entirely wild birds and poultry, but occasionally small 

mammals, reptiles, batrachians, and insects. 

"Cooper's hawk, which resembles the sharp -shinned hawk closely in 
everything except size, is less northern in its distribution. . . . The 
food of this hawk, like that of its smaller congener, consists almost 
entirely of wild birds and poultry, though from its superior size and 
strength it is able to cope successfully with muqh larger birds, and 
hence is much more to be dreaded. . . . The flight of this species 
is very rapid, irregular, and usually is carried at no great height 
from the ground, in all these particulars closely resembling that of 
the sharp-shinned hawk." (Fisher.) 

Subgenus Astur. 
Length over 20 ; tarsus feathered for about one half its length. 

334. Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.). American Goshawk. 
Bare portion of leg in front shorter than middle toe ; wing more than 




Fiom Biological Surve\ , L. b. Ucpt. 
ot Agriculture. 

Fig. 223. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



153 




From Biological S 



Agriculture. 
Fig. 224. Goshawk. 



Dept. 



12 inches. Adults: under parts with 
whitish ground uniformly covered with 
finely penciled gray zigzags, touched up 
with dark shaft streaks ; upper parts 
dark bluish gray, with black shaft streaks, 
and becoming- black on head ; tail bluish 
gray, more or less tipped with white and 
crossed by about four dusky bands, 
sometimes obsolete on the upper sur- 
face. Young : upper parts dull brown, 
head and neck streaked with bulfy sal- 
mon, and rest of upper parts spotted and 
edged with pale buffy and whitish ; 
under parts bright buffy, broadly 
streaked with dark brown. Male : 
length 22.00, wing 12.00-13.25, tail 9.50- 
10.50. Female : length 24.50, wing 13.50- 
14.25, tail 11.50-12.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds in northern and 
eastern North America, chiefly north of 
the United States but west to eastern 
parts of Washington and Oregon, and 
south in the Rocky Mountains as far as 
central New Mexico. 

Nest. — Placed high up in a large 
tree, generally an evergreen, a bulky compact mass of twigs, lined with 
soft inner bark, weed stalks, or leaves, surrounded by loosely arranged 
sticks. J^ggs : 2 to 5, pale bluish white, unspotted. 

Food. — Rabbits and other rodents, but mainly poultry, ducks, gi'ouse, 
and smaller birds. 

As the goshawk breeds in the mountains or in the far north it is 
little in evidence except in winter, but then it comes down into the 
valleys and even out over the deep snow of the middle prairies. 

Game birds and poultry suffer more from it than from any hawk, 
and its rapid flight, size, strength, and daring combine to make it 
the most destructive of the American birds of prey. 

334a. A. a. striatulus Bidgw. Western Goshawk. 

Like A. atricapillus but darker ; upper parts from dark bluish gTay to 
sooty black ; under parts dark gray, more heavily mottled, and marked 
with dark shaft streaks ; belly and thighs barred. Young : upper parts 
brownish black, with buffy and rusty streakings and edgings ; stripes on 
lower parts broader than in A. atricapillus, and deep black ; tail with four 
blackish bands. 

Distribution. — From Sitka south to California and Idaho, and east to 
Colorado. 

Nest. — In tall trees, made of sticks lined with juniper or other bark, 
grass, tree moss, weed stalks, and pine needles. Fggs : 3 to 5, indistin- 
guishable from those of A. atricapillus. 

Food. — Especially game birds, such as sooty, ruffed, and sharp-tailed 
grouse. 

' ' According to my observations, the general habits of the western 



154 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

goshawk are very similar to those of its eastern relative. It is 
equally destructive to small game of all kinds ... as well as to 
the fowls of the poultry yard. While nowhere abundant, it seems 
to be pretty generally distributed throughout the Blue Mountain 
region of Oregon and Washington, and breeds in suitable localities 
where food is plenty. During spring and summer it is seldom seen 
in the more open districts, though it is abundant enough later on, 
when the heavy snows drive the game into the foothills and lower 
valleys. . . . Besides a shrill scream of anger, they have a call-note 
resembling the word ' keeah, keeah,' or ' kree-ah,' frequently re- 
peated, this note being often uttered in the early spring." (Bendire.) 

GENUS PARABUTEO. 

335. Par abut eo unicinctus harrisi {Aud.). Harkis Hawk. 

Lores nearly naked and bristled ; middle toe much shorter than naked 
front of tarsus ; inner webs of five outer quills cut out. Adults : upper 
parts dark brown, reddish brown on shoulders, under wing coverts and 
thighs ; tail black with white base, white coverts, and broad white band at 
tip. Young : under parts broadly streaked with dark brown on buff y and 
whitish ground ; upper parts dark brown, streaked on head and neck with 
yellowish brown ; back marked with rufous, scapulars deep rufous ; rump 
white ; tail like adult, but with white terminal band narrower, and inner 
webs of feathers barred. Male: length 17.50-21.00, wing 12.35-13.75, 
tail 9.80-10.20, bill .90-.95. Female : length 21-24, wing 14.2.5-14.50, tail 
10.80-11.00, bill 1.08-1.10. 

Distribution. — From Mississippi to southern California, and south 
through Lower California and other parts of Mexico to Panama. 

Nest. — A platform of sticks, lined with grass, bark, moss, and roots 
placed in cactus, Spanish bayonet, mesquite, or other trees. Eggs : 2 to 4, 
soiled white, occasionally greenish, unmarked, or spotted lightly with pale 
brown or lavender. 

Food. — Largely offal, mammals, small reptiles, and occasionally birds. 

In southern Texas the rich rufous marks and swift, clear-cut flight 
of the Harris hawk soon become pleasantly familiar, for he is one of 
the hawks that are both common and tame on the coast prairies. He 
is so tame that as you drive by a telegraph pole on which he is perch- 
ing he will sometimes stand calmly on one foot looking down upon 
you with statue-like indifference. In the mesquite thickets you 
may meet one at close quarters as he dashes under the thorny bushes 
in quest of wood rats, ground squirrels, and the small game that 
abounds in these dwarf forests ; and sometimes, as happened one 
day when we drove along the Nueces River, you will see him sit- 
ting on a low branch feasting on a wood rat captured at the door of 
its stick house close by. If you chance near the hawks' nest a long 
harsh Buteo-like scream may make you look up to find one or both 
anxious birds circling overhead. A nest that was pointed out to 
me by the owners in Texas was in the top of a moss-hung hack- 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



155 



berry, and on climbing the tree I found a heavy platform of sticks 
three feet wide lined with Spanish moss. The young blundered out 
on my approach, showing the nest to be fairly covered with bones 
of wood rats. There were a dozen skulls, and bones, legs, skin, 
and fur were strewn over the nest. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS BUTEO. 

General Characters. — Size medium and large, form heavy ; wings longer 
than tail ; emarginate primaries 3 or 4 ; sexes alike or similar ; female 
larger than male ; melanism frequent. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Three outer primaries with inner 

webs distinctly cut out ^^^=^s~ 

2. Primaries exceeding secondaries 

by nearly length of tail. Fig. '225. 

sennetti, p. 158. 
2'. Primaries exceeding secondaries by much less than length of tail. 

3. Wing over 14 s-wainsoni, p. 159. 

3'. Wing imder 11.50 platypterus, p. 160. 

1'. Four outer primaries with inner webs cut out. 

2. Outer webs of primaries spotted with white, buffy, 

or brownish elegans, p. 157. 

2'. Outer webs of primaries without white, buffy, or Fig. 226. 

brownish spots, but with quadrate bands. 



3. Tail black or blackish, crossed by white zones. 

abbreviatus, p. 157. 






From Biological Survey, U. 

Agriculture. 

Fig. 228. 



Dept. of 



3 . Tail with more or less 

of reddish brown. ^^S- 227. 

4. Upper parts strikingly marked and 
spotted with white. 

kriderii, p. 156. 
4. Upper parts not strikingly spotted 
with white. 
5. Tail dark rufous. 

borealis, p. 155. 
5'. Tail pale rufous, calurus, p. 156. 

337. Buteo borealis (Gmel). 
Red-tailed Hawk. 
Adults. — Upper parts blackish brown, 
with white and gray markings ; tail red- 
dish broivn, usually with black subter- 
minal band ; under parts white to black- 
ish, with or Avithout rusty on breast. 
Young: tail gray, crossed by 6 to 10 
dark bands ; belly crossed by blackish 
zone. Male: length 19.00-22..50, wing 
13.50-16.50, tail 8.50-10.00, bUl .95- 



156 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

1.08. Female : length 23-25, wing; 15.25-17.75, tail 9.50-10.50, bill 1.00- 
1.15. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, west to the Black Hills and 
Colorado, and south to northeastern Mexico. Breeds nearly throughout 
its range. 

Nest. — Usually in tall trees. Eggs : 2 to 4, white or bluish white, 
more or less spotted or blotched with brown. 

Food. — Mainly mice, ground squirrels, and other injurious mammals. 

The eastern red-tail goes as far west as Colorado. 

337a. B. b. kriderii Hoopes. Kkider Hawk. 

Adults. — Under parts entirely ichite or pale huffy; upper parts brown, 
largely marked with white ; tail pale rufous, usually without subterminal 
band. Young : similar, but tail tipped with white and with about ten 
dark brown bands, feathers more or less tinged with reddish brown and 
with inner webs largely white between bands. Size of B. horealis. 

Distribution. — Great Plains, from Minnesota to Texas, and from Wyo- 
ming east casually to Illinois. 



337b. B. b. calurus (Cass.). Western Red-tall. 

Adults. — Varying' greatly in plumage — Light extreme : under parts 
white or buffy, with broad reddish brown streakings on throat, belly, and 
sides ; tail bright reddish brown, with one or more subterminal blackish 
bars ; rest of upper parts dark brown, more or less marked with yellowish 
brown and whitish. Dark extreme : uniform dark sooty brown except for 
rufous tail. Intermediates : reddish brown underneath, and with more or less 
reddish brown wash on upper parts. There are also all grades of plumage 
in this form between the light and dark extremes. Young : tail grayish 
brown varying to dull yellowish brown, crossed by 9 to 10 blackish bands ; 
rest of plumage dark brown heavily spotted beneath, sometimes wholly 
dusky. Male : length 19.00-22..50, extent of wings 49-53, wing 13.50-16.50, 
tail 8.50-10.00, bill .95-1.08. Female: length 23-25, extent 54.00-57.50, 
wing 15.25-17.75, tail 9..50-10.50, bill 1.00-1.15. 

Distribution. — Western North America, from the Mississippi valley, 
casually east to Illinois, west to the Pacifie, and south to Guatemala. 

Nest. — Sometimes used a number of years, made of sticks and lined 
with roots or inner bark, placed usually 30 to 50 feet from the ground, 
generally in deciduous trees, but also in evergreens and giant cactus, and 
occasionally on cliffs. Fggs : usually 2 or 3, creamy white or bluish 
white, unspotted or irregularly blotched with yellowish and reddish brown. 

Food. — Rabbits, ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice, snakes, lizards, 
frogs, grasshoppers, and other insects. 

"The western red-tail, though nowhere very abundant, is pretty 
generally distributed over western North America at large, and is, 
next to Sw^ainson's hawk, the commonest of the larger raptores found 
in these regions. ... It is fond of the tall timber bordering the banks 
of streams, and is as often found far in the mountain passes and 
deep canyons as in the more open country in the foothills and the 
adjacent plains, but seems to shun the dense and extensive forests, 
and is rarely seen except on the borders of these. In some of the 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 157 

desert regions of western Texas, southern New Mexico, and Arizona, 
it is not infrequently met witli at long distances from water, and 
has even been found breeding in such localities. . . . It is one of the 
earliest migrants to return to its breeding grounds, arriving about 
the latter part of February or the first week in March, and is readily 
noticed then, both on account of its size and its shrill squeals, 
uttered during the greater part of the day while circling high in the 
air, in proximity to its future summer home. They appear to be 
very much attached to certain localities and return to them from 
year to year. ... In Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California it 
lives principally on the different species of ground squirrels so com- 
mon and destructive in these states." (Bendire.) 

Mr. Grinnell says that this hawk, in common with other species, is 
popularly known as henhawk or chickenhawk and is relentlessly 
killed wherever chance is offered, and he adds that he attributes the 
great local increase in ground squirrels in part at least to the destruc- 
tion of hawks and owls. 

339b. Buteo lineatus elegans (Cass.). Red-bellied Hawk. 

Adults. — Under parts brig-ht reddish broAvn, usually plain across breast, 
lig-htly barred Avitli white below ; upper pai'ts dark brown, streaked with 
white or rusty yellowish brown ; shoulders reddish In-own ; wings and tail 
banded with white. Young : spots of buffy or yellowish brown on outer 
webs of wing- quills. Male : wing 12.00-12.50, tail 8-9, bill .78. Female : 
wing- 13, tail 9.50, bill .90. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia south to Lower California and 
northern Mexico ; and from western Texas to the Pacific. 

Nest. — Of twig-s or sagebrush lined with leaves, pine needles, inner 
bark, and feathers ; placed in trees and g-iant cactus. Fggs : 2 to 5, white, 
marked lig-htly with lavender and brown. 

Food. — Lizards, frogs, grubs, and insects ; and sometimes small birds. 

The red-bellied hawk usually makes its home in trees along river 
banks, especially in oak and willow regions, where it ma}^ be seen 
moving with a heavy flight suggestive of the owls. 

In speaking of its food habits, Mr. Lyman Belding says that he 
once shot one of a pair that had for three years nested less than two 
hundred yards from a poultry yard, and on examination of its 
stomach found only small lizards, tree-frogs, grubs, and insects. 

When disturbed at its nest. Major Bendire says, the red-bellied 
gives a shrill yee-ak, yee-ak, repeated rapidly in a high key. 

340. Buteo abbreviatus Coh. Zone-tailed Hawk. 

Adults. — Whole bird uniform black or blackish brown, feathers pure 
white at bases ; tail crossed hi/ three broad lighter zones, which are gray on 
outer and white on inner webs of feathers. Young: tail dark grayish 
brown instead of black, inner webs sometimes entirely white ; crossed by 
numerous black narrow oblique lines. Male: length 18.50-19.60, extent 
49.50, wing 15.00-15.60, tail 8.50-9. 1 5. Female : length 20.85-21.50, extent 
53.10; wing 16.50-17.40, tail 9.00-10.75, bill .90-1.00. 




158 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

Distribution. — From Southern California to Texas, 
and south to northern South America. 

Nest. — On rock cliffs or in eottonwoods near 
streams, made of twigs lined with Spanish moss, 
green leaves, or inner bark of the Cottonwood. Eggs : 
1 to 3, pale bluish white, mostly unspotted. 

Food. — Small mammals, lizards, frogs, and fishes. 

Major Bendire states that one or two pairs of 
the zone-tailed hawks may usually be found liv- 
Fig. 229. Tail of Zone- |jjg j^ gg^di ^f ^he larger cottonwood groves of 
Arizona, but that few are ever found far from the 
banks of streams. In southern Texas and New Mexico the hawks 
frequent canyons, where they circle about scouring the cliffs, or, 
mounting high in the air, dive screaming almost to the water in the 
bottom. Their cry, which is loud and piercing, is said to resound 
commandingly through the canyons. 

Fifty miles south of the Arizona line Mr. Price encountered a fire 
in the marsh-lands and canebrakes which brought hundreds of the 
zone-tails to feed on the cotton rats and other rodents driven out by 
the heat. Some of the hawks circled high in the air over the flames, 
while others wheeled and plunged into the dense black smoke for 
their prey. 

Subgenus Tachytriorchis. 
Three outer primaries cut out. 

341. Buteo albicaudatus sennetti Allen. Sennett White- 
tailed Hawk. 

Adult male. — Pure ivhite on under parts, rump, and tail, except for black 
subterminal tail band, the white in places lightly scored with narrow dusky 
bars ; upper parts dull bluish gray, wing coverts marked with rufous, quills 
blackish; three outer quills cut out on inner web. Adult female: similar, 
but rufous patch on wing coverts more extended, and colors generally 
darker. Young : brownish black, shoulders marked with reddish brown ; 
under parts marked with whitish buffy and yellowish brown ; thighs buffy 
brown ; tail gray, darkening toward end, and becoming rusty at tip, 
scored faintly with narrow dusky bars, becoming- obsolete toward base of 
tail. Male: wing 14..50-16.75, tail 7.50-9.00. Female: wing 17.00-17.75, 
tail 8.25-10.30, bill .95-1.05. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas and Arizona south to Mexico. 

Nest. — A platform of twigs almost without lining ; placed in yucca 
tops, chaparral, or small trees on the prairie. Eggs : 2 or 3, dingy white, 
lightly marked with spots of pale brown. 

In driving over the treeless prairie of southern Texas day after 
day, one of your keenest pleasures is to sight, across a long level 
foreground, the shining white breast of a stately white-tailed hawk. 
He stands on the ground, perches on a low bush, or perhaps on a 
fence post, if anything so high offers. Strikingly handsome in re- 
pose, when he flies up as you drive near, his white tail with its black 
terminal band adds unique distinction to his appearance. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



159 



342. Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swainson Hawk. 

Adult male in normal plumage : throat and belly white, white of throat 
sharply contrasted with reddish brown chest hand ; upper parts nearly uni- 
form dark grayish brown ; tail crossed by 
about 9 or 10 narrow blackish bands. Adult 
female in normal plumage : like male, but 
chest patch grayish brown instead of rufous. 
Melanistic phase, both sexes : whole plumage 
uniform sooty brown, under tail coverts some- 
times spotted or barred with rusty or whitish. 
Every possible gradation is shown by different 
individuals between this black phase and the 
lig-ht colored normal plumage. Young : upper 
parts blackish brown varied with buff y or yel- 
lowish brown ; head, neck, and under parts 
buffy brown, head and neck streaked with 
blackish ; under parts usually more or less 
blotched with blackish, Male : length 19.50- 
20.00, extent 48,00-50.50, wing- 14,40-16.00, 
tail 8-9, bill .80-.90. Fernale: length 21-22, 
extent 50.50-56.00, wing- 14.75-17.25, tail 9-10, 
bill ,80-95. 

Distribution. — From the arctic reg-ions 

south to Argentina; in the United States 

from the Pacific to Wisconsin, Illinois, and 

Migratory north of South Dakota 




From -Biolugical Survey, U. S. 

Dept. of Agriculture. 

Fig. 230, 



Arkansas ; casually to Massachusetts, 
and Nebraska. 

Nest. — In cottonwoods and other trees, and also in bushes and on rocks, 
made of sagebrush, willow, or other sticks, lined largely with green leaves 
and bark. Eggs: 1 to 4, greenish white, fading to yellowish, spotted in- 
conspicuously with different shades of brown. 

Food. — Almost entirely small rodents, principally striped gophers and 
mice, together with grasshoppers and crickets. 

' ' On the arid wastes and tablelands of southern Arizona, as well 
as in the sage and bunch grass districts of Nevada, Oregon, Washing- 
ton, and Idaho, Swainson's hawk is especially abundant, outnumber- 
ing, perhaps, all the other Raptores of these regions combined. It is 
eminently a prairie bird, shunning the densely timbered mountain 
regions, and being more at home in the sparingly wooded localities 
usually found along the watercourses of the lowlands. 

"Compared with the majority of our hawks it is gentle and Un- 
suspicious in disposition, living in perfect harmony with its smaller 
neighbors. It is no unusual sight to find other birds, . , , nesting 
in the same tree ; and the Arkansas kingbird goes even farther than 
this, sometimes constructing its home . . , under the nest of these 
hawks or in the sides of it. . . . 

"The food of Swainson's hawk consists almost entirely of the 
smaller rodents, principally striped gophers and mice, as well as grass- 
hoppers and the large black cricket, which is very common as well as 
destructive in certain seasons, and the bane of the farmers in eastern 



160 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and other localities in the Great 
Basin, destroying and eating up every green thing as they move 
along. . . . 

"I cannot recall a single instance where one of these birds visited 
a poultry yard. . . . From an economic point of view I consider it 
by far the most useful and beneficial of all our hawks." (Bendire.) 

During the migrations flocks of one or two hundred Swainson 
hawks are sometimes seen on the ground catching grasshoppers or 
sitting along the barbed-wire fences looking for small rodents. 

343. Buteo platypterus (Vieill.). Broad-winged Hawk. 

Adults. — Upper parts dark brown, wing- quills and tail blackish, tail 
narrowly tipped with white, and with 3 to 4 broad grayish bands ; under 
parts from dark brown to rusty or rufous. Young : tail narrowly tipped 
with white and crossed by 5 to 7 blackish bands ; sides of head and under 
parts dull white or buffy, marked with long- dark streaks, cordate spots on 
sides, and barring- on thig-hs. Male : length 13.25-15.00, wing- 9.85-10.70, 
tail 6.50-7.00, bill .70. Female : length 16-18, wing 11.00-11.40, tail 7-8, 
bill.70-.80. 

Remarks. — In normal plumag-e the broad-winged and the Swainson sug- 
gest each other, but differ in the much smaller size of the broad-wing, as 
well as the white belly and thighs, and 9 or 10 tail bands of the Swainson. 

Distribution. — Breeds in eastern North America from New Brunswick 
and Saskatchewan south — mainly east of the Mississippi — to Mexico ; 
migrating through Central America and the West Indies to northern South 
America. Recorded from 101° in Texas. 

Nest. — In trees, generally not more than 25 feet from the ground ; of 
sticks, lined largely with strips of bark or leaves. Eggs : usually 2 or 3, 
grayish or pale greenish, marked irregularly with lavender, pearl gray, 
and sometimes brown. 

Food. — Ground squirrels, wood mice, field mice, shrews, moths, grass- 
hoppers, crickets, and beetles. 

The eastern broad-wing has been found along wooded rivers in 
western Texas. 

GElSrUS URUBITINGA. 

345. Urubitinga anthracina (Licht.). Mexican Black Hawk. 

Tail about two thirds as long as wing, emarginate or nearly even ; 4 
outer primaries sinuate on inner webs ; primaries exceeding secondaries by 
less than length of naked front of tarsus ; tarsus much longer than mid- 
dle toe and claw, only feathered for a short distance. 

Adults. — Whole bird black except for tail, which has a white base, tip, 
and medium cross band. Young : under parts buffy, streaked with black- 
ish ; thighs heavily barred with blackish ; upper parts blackish, streaked 
with whitish, buffy, and rufous ; tail banded obliquely with black and 
white. Male : length 21.50, wing 13.15-14.90, tail 7.90-9.75, bill 1.00-1.05. 
Female : length 20.00-22.50, wing 14.25-16.00, tail 9.25-11.00, bill 1.05- 
1.10. 

Distribution. — From Arizona and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in 
Texas south to northern South America. 

Nest. — Bulky, of sticks and herbage, lined with dry leaves, and placed 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 161 

in a large tree near the border of a stream. Eggs : usually 2, white, irregu- 
larly blotched with brown, chiefly around the larger end. 

Food. — Small mammals, reptiles, Crustacea, insects, and rarely birds. 

In Arizona Dr. Mearns usually found the anthracite or Mexican 
black hawk hidden in the foliage near water. Occasionally he saw 
one eating fish on the sandy margin of a river. They are very shy 
he says, and their flight is swift and powerful. 

GENUS ASTURINA. 

346. Asturina plagiata ScMegel. Mexican Goshawk. 

Proportions of Buteo but coloration of Astur ; wings less than 4 times 
as long as tarsus ; four outer primaries cut out on inner webs, second to 
fifth cut out on outer webs ; tail even, long ; about three fourths wing ; 
legs long, as in Accipiter ; feet stout. 

Adults. — Under parts, except for white under tail coverts, everywhere 
barred gray and white ; upper parts plain ash gray or very faintly barred ; 
top of head and back of neck with Jine blackish shaft streaks ; wing quills 
and upper tail coverts white, tail blackish, tipped with white, and crossed 
by 2 or 3 white bands. Young : under parts white, broadly streaked ex- 
cept on throat, and tinged with pinkish buff on sides and under wings ; 
upper parts sooty brown, head and neck streaked, and wings spotted with 
buffy ; upper tail coverts white ; tail grayish brown, tipped with whitish, 
and crossed by 6 or 7 black bands. I^ength : 16-18, wing 9.50-11.70, tail 
6.70-8.20, bill .75-1.00. 

Distribution. — From southwestern border of United States to Panama. 

Nest. — Of fresh cottonwood twigs with leaves attached, lined with 
dry leaves and strips of bark. Eggs : usually 2, pale bluish white, 
unspotted. 

Food. — Ground squirrels, mice, birds, small reptiles, and insects. 

The Mexican goshawk frequents open groves and the edges of 
timber, especially near watercourses. 

Near Tucson, Arizona, Major Bendire had a good opportunity to 
study its habits. From the middle of April, he says, "not a day 
passed without my seeing two or three pairs of these handsome lit- 
tle goshawks (which were readily recognized by their light color) 
engaged in sailing gracefully over the treetops, now sportively chas- 
ing each other, or again circling around, the female closely followed 
by the male, uttering at the same time a very peculiar piping note, 
which reminded me of that given by the long-billed curlew in the 
early spring (while hovering in the air in the manner of a sparrow 
hawk), rather than the shrill cries or screams usually uttered by birds 
of prey. To my ear, there was something decidedly flute-like about 
these notes. . . . When in search of food, their flight is powerful, 
active, and easily controlled. I have seen one of them dart to the 
ground with arrow-like swiftness to pick up some bird, lizard, or 
rodent, continuing its flight without any stop whatever." 



162 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



Beetles and grasshoppers are caught by them on the wing, and 
twigs for their nests are broken oif as they fly rapidly by. 



GENUS ARCHIBUTEO. 

General Characters. — Like Buteo, but tarsus feathered in front and on 
sides down to base of toes ; wings long, four or five quills emarginate on 
inner webs. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill small and weak, gape across corners of bill only 1..35-1.4.5. 

sancti-johannis, p. 162. 
1'. Bill larger and stronger, gape across corners of bill 1.70-1.90. 

ferrugineus, p. 163. 

347a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis {GmeL). Rough- 
legged Hawk. 
Adults, normal phase. — Under parts varying from whitish to yellowish 
brown, more or less spotted with blackish, most heavily on breast ; upper 
parts grayish brown or dark brown, streaked 
with white and reddish brown ; tail with base 
and upper coverts ivhite and end with subter- 
minal dusky band ; wing quills with outer webs 
silvery gray. Young, normal plumage : similar 
to adults, but end of tail plain grayish brown, 
the basal part plain whitish ; under parts whit- 
ish or buffy, crossed on belly by a broad belt 
of uniform dark brown. Melanistic phase in 
both young and old — connected with normal 
plumage by every variety of intermediate char- 
acter — entirely deep black except for white 
forehead, white on inner webs of quills above 
eniargination, and, narrow broken bands across 
base of tail. Male : length 19.50-22.00, wing 
15.75-16.80, tail 9-10. Feinale : length 21.50- 
23.50, wing 16.15-18:00, taH 9-11. 

Remarks. — The white upper tail coverts 
and large size are good field characters. 

Distribution. — Whole of North America 
north of Mexico, but breeding almost wholly north of the United States. 

Nest. — Made of large sticks lined with grass, leaves, or feathers, in trees 
or on cliffs. Eggs : 2 to 5, greenish white, fading to dingy white, irregu- 
larly marked with blotches of brown and sometimes lavender. 
Food. — Principally small rodents, such as mice and lemmings. 

The roiigh-legged hawk is known mainly as a winter bird in the 
United States, coming down with the fall migrants and spreading 
over the country where he can find food to suit his taste, often 
remaining all winter in the northern states where the deep snow and 
intense cold drive less hardy species away. Where trappers are at 
work he finds plenty of food in the freshly skinned or frozen bodies 
of muskrats and other fur mammals left lying by the streams and 
lakes ; but he is not dependent upon such supplies. He keeps 




From Bioloffical Survey, U. S. Dept. 
of Agriculture. 

Fig. 231. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



163 



mainly within the country inhabited by meadow mice, and at the 
season when they are at their worst eating the roots of the crops 
and gnawing the bark of fruit-trees under the snow he devotes 
himself to their destruction. 

Dr. Fisher says that the rough-leg is one of the most nocturnal of 
our hawks, and that it " may be seen in the fading twilight watch- 
ing from some low perch, or beating with measured, noiseless flight, 
over its hunting ground." 



Subgenus Brewsteria. 
348. Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.). 

LEG : SQULRREIi HaWK. 

Adults, normal phase : under parts white, son 
with brown : upper parts and flanhs reddish 
brown ; tail white, more or less stained with 
reddish brown, and sometimes marked with 
a subterminal band. Adults, melanistic phase : 
tail normal ; upper parts chocolate brown, 
marked with rusty; under parts rusty and 
chocolate. Young : upper parts grayish 
brown, feathers edged with rusty or yellow- 
ish brown ; flanks white, more or less spotted 
with dusky ; tail whitish for basal third, the 
rest brownish gray, usually with several 
more or less distinct dark bands. Male : 
length 22..50, wing 15.90-17.00, tail 9.50- 
10.50. Female : length 24, wing 17.00-18.80, 
tail 10.50-11.00. 

Distribution. — From the eastern Dakotas 
and Texas to the Pacific, and from the Sas- 
katchewan to northern Mexico ; casually to 
Illinois. 

Nest. — Of sticks and herbage, lined with 
softer materials. Eggs: 2 to 5, creamy or 
pale greenish, irregularly blotched with dif- 
ferent shades of brown and lavender. 

Food. — Almost exclusively small mam- 
mals and reptiles, but also crickets. 



Ferruginous Rough- 



letimes slig-htlv streaked 




Survey, U. S. 
of Agriculture. 



Fig. 232. 



Dept. 



"The squirrel hawk is preeminently a bird of the prairie, and, 
unlike the common rough-leg, shows little partiality to the vicinity 
of water, though in other respects it closely resembles the latter 
bird in habits. When this hawk is hunting its flight appears la- 
bored and heavy, but when circling high in the air its flight is 
graceful, and resembles closely that of the golden eagle. In fact, in 
parts of the west it is known by the name eagle." (Fisher.) 



GENUS AQUILA. 

349. Aquila chrysaetos {Linn.). Golden- Eagle. 

A bird of great size, robust form, and powerful physique. Tarsus closely 




164 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

feathered all around to the toes, outer and middle toes webbed at base; 
bill large, long ; wings long, pointed ; tail mod- 
erate, rounded, or graduated ; feathers of occiput 
and nape lanceolate. Sexes alike. Adults : whole 
bird dark brown, lanceolate feathers of hind 
neck and those on legs lighter brown ; wing 
quills black ; tail blackish, more or less clouded 
or irregularly banded with grayish. Young : like 
adult, but basal part of tail plain white, under 
parts white beneath the surface. Male : length 
80-35, extent about 6i to 7 feet, wing 23.00-24.70, 
tail 14-15, bill 1.50-1.62. Female : length 35-40, 
extent about 7 to 7i feet, wing 25-27, tail 15-16, 
bill 1.68-1.85. 

Distribution. — Northern portion of northern 
hemisphere, chiefly in mountainous regions ; south 
_ in North America to central Mexico. Breeds 

From Biological Survey, U. S. throughout its range. 

Dept. of Agriculture. ^gg^. _ ^ platform of sticks lined with straw, 

Fig. 233. Golden Eagle. ^^,^^^^ j^^^gg^ leaves, fur, or feathers, placed in 
high trees or on a ledge of a cliff. Eggs : usually 2, white, irregularly 
marked, some almost immaculate, others thickly blotched with brown. 

Food. — Mainly mammals and birds, including squirrels, prairie dogs, 
spermophiles, i-abbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, and waterfowl. 

In Ills moimtaiii home the golden eagle scours the ridges and sides 
of precipices for grouse and marmots, and when these become scarce 
or too wary from long acquaintance with his raids, he descends like 
a meteor on half folded wings to the valley, where he beats the 
sagebrush for jack rabbits, sage grouse, or any game worthy of his 
royal quest. 

The eagles are often seen hunting in pairs, and doubtless find 
mutual advantage other than companionship in the method. In 
Salt Lake Yalley, at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, a pair 
were once found eating a full grown gray fox they had just killed, 
which it is doubtful if either could have caught or overpowered 
alone. Under stress of hunger or when game is scarce, the birds are 
said to^take young lambs or kids, and even to eat animals found 
dead on the prairie, in this way getting the poison put out for 
coyotes. But only extreme necessity could make them stoop to 
such ignominious quarry, as nothing short of the extermination of 
the buffalo and other legitimate game could have brought the 
haughty chiefs adorned with their regal feathers to beg alms. 

The eagles sweep over the plains and valleys, but the mountains 
are their natural homes. On San Francisco Mountain, in Arizona I 
found a pair coming every morning to drink and bathe in a pool of 
clear snow water above the timber at 11,000 feet. 

Vernon Bailey. 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



165 




GENUS HALI^ETUS. 

352. Haliseetus leucocephalus (Linn.). Bald Eagle. 

Tarsus feathered only half way down, middle and outer toes without 
web ; wing pointed, secondaries much shorter 
than primaries ; tail less than two thirds as 
long as wing-, rounded. Adults. — Head, 
neck, tail, and tail coverts snowy white ; rest 
of plumag-e blackish or dark brownish, 
feathers edg-ed with brown. Young: first 
year wholly black except for white bases of 
feathers showing- through ; second or third 
year under parts mixed black and white ; 
head and neck black, rest of upper parts 
mixed gray, brown, black, and white. Male : 
length 30-35, extent about 7 feet, wing 
20.00-25.90, tail 11.00-15.25, bill 1.85-2.25. 
Female : length 34-43, extent about 7-8 feet, 
wing 23.50-28.00, tail 12.50-16.00, bill 1.90- 
2.35. 

Distribution. — Nearly the whole of North 
America, from northern Mexico to Alaska. 
Breeds in suitable localities throughout its 
range. 

Nest. — A bulky mass of sticks, seaweed, 
rushes, turf, vines, or plant stalks, on cliffs 
or in tall trees. Fggs : usually 2, white. 

Food. — Mainly fish, but also squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, lambs, 
carrion, and waterfowl. 

The bald eagle was unfortunately selected as our national emblem 
instead of the nobler golden eagle, as it is at times both a scavenger 
and a robber. It lives largely on fish, diving for them and taking 
them itself, stealing them from a fish hawk, or, in company with 
ravens and vultures, feeding on dead fish cast up by the waves along 
river banks. 

It must be acknowledged, however, that the eagles show great 
skill in their piratical exploits and courage in defense of their nests, 
and that they have a noble, commanding bearing which is not alto- 
gether belied by their daily deeds. 

GENUS FAIiCO. 

General Characters. — Cutting edge of upper mandible with a tooth-like 
projection separated by notch from hooked tip ; nostril small, circular, 
with a conspicuous bony tubercle ; wings long and pointed. 



From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. 

oi Agriculture. 

Fig. 234. 



KEY TO ADULTS. 



1. One primary with inner web cut out. 

2. Back of tarsus almost covered by feathers from sides. 

rusticolus, p. 166. 
2'. Back of tarsus broadly bare. 
3. Grayish brown above mexicanus, p. 166. 



166 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

3'. Slaty bluish above. 

4. Top of head darker than back anatum, p. 167. 

4'. Top of head and back uniform pealei, p. 168. 

I'.Two primaries with inner webs cut out. 

2. Tarsus not decidedly longer than middle toe. 

8. Middle tail feathers crossed by not more than four blackish or five 
light bands. 
4. Inner webs of quills distinctly barred or spotted. 

columbarius, p. 168. 
4'. Inner webs of quills not distinctly barred or spotted. 

suckleyi, p. 169. 
3'. Middle tail feathers crossed by 5 darker and 6 lighter bands. 

richardsonii, p. 169. 
2'. Tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe. 
3. Side of head with one horizontal stripe. . 

fuse coerulescens, p. 170. 
3'. Side of head with two black vertical stripes. 

4. Darker. Eastern United States . . . . sparverius, p. 170. 
4'. Paler. Western United States .... deserticola, p. 171. 

Subgenus Hierofalco. 

Tarsus feathered two thirds of the way down in front and on sides, the 
edges of the feathering meeting on the posterior side. 

354. Falco rusticolus Linn. Gray Gyrfalcon. 

Adults. — Top of head largely streaked with white ; anterior upper parts 
barred with grayish or whitish and darker ; tail strongly banded ; flanks 
and thighs more or less marked with slaty. Young : upper parts much 
spotted with white or huffy ; under parts with dark stripes usually nar- 
rower than white interspaces. Male: length 20-21, wing 14.10, tail 8.51, 
bill .90, tarsus 2.40. Female : length 22.00-24.50, wing 15.76, tail 9.72, 
bill 1.01, tarsus 2.46. 

Distribution. — Extreme northern portions of Europe (except Scandi- 
navia), Asia, and North America, including Iceland and southern Green- 
land; south in winter to northern border of United States. 

The gyrfalcons are so rare in the United States that, as Dr. Fisher 
says, a man may consider himself fortunate if he sees one in a life- 
time. 

355. Falco raexicanus Schlegel. Prairie Falcon. 

Adult male. — Under parts and nuchal collar white, sides of head with 
dark patches ; median under parts lightly streaked or spotted, and flanks 
heavily spotted or blotched with dusky ; upper parts pale clay brown, 
usually tinged with rusty and indistinctly but broadly barred with pale 
clay color or dull huffy anteriorly, and with pale bluish gray posteriorly. 
Adult female : upper parts dull clay brown, feathers edged with rusty 
brown or dull whitish, paler toward tail ; tail tipped with whitish and 
lighter on outer edges of feathers. Young: upper parts grayish brown, 
feathers edged with light rusty ; under parts huffy with broader dusky 
streaks ; dark flank patch larger and more uniform than in the adult, and 
axillars unbroken dusky. Male: length 17-18, wing 11.60-12.50, tail 
O.40-7.50, bill .70-. 75. Female: length 18.50-20.00, wing 13.25-14.30, 
taU 8-9, bill .85-.90. 

Distribution. — L^nited States, from the eastern border of the Plains to 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



167 



the Pacific, and from the Dakotas south to Mexico ; casually to Illinois. 
Breeds throug-hout its United States range. 

Nest. — Usually on ledg-es of rocky cliffs. Eggs : 3 to 5, usually creamy 
white, blotched and spotted with reddish brown, spots sometimes covering- 
whole surface. 

Food. — Birds, mammals, reptiles, and the larger insects. 

Over the western plains and sagebrush desert country one often 
sees a small, trimly -built, sharp-winged hawk dashing about in the 
air, and on scanning the rugged cliffs discerns a white streak high 
on the rock wall and with a field glass a niche above in which per- 
haps the edge of a nest or the heads of young may be seen. Some- 
times you will hear the high-pitched call, kee, kee, kee, as the old 
birds circle around abo-e their aerie. As they hover about the cliffs 
their neat forms ana quick, hard wing beats are so characteristic 
that they could be mistaken for no other bird, unless perhaps the 
duck hawk. Their nests are usually placed in the most inaccessible 
parts of high cliffs, and the birds are closely associated with many of 
the grandest western landscapes. 

The falcons are bold freebooters when a farmyard happens to lie 
in the valley below and their hungry young are calling, but ordi- 
narily ground squirrels and other small rodents supply most of their 
food. The few birds they get are mostly caught on the wing. One 
that shot past me in pursuit of a flock of Gambel quails in southern 
Utah struck a quail from the flock with such force as to knock it 
to the ground amid a cloud of feathers, but fortunately for the 
quail it landed in the brush, where it escaped. Vernon Bailey. 

Subgenus Rhynchodon. 

Tarsus only slig-htly feathered in front, 
broadly bare behind ; not longer than 
middle toe without claw. 

356. Falco peregrinus anatum 

(Bonap.). Duck Hawk. 
Adults. — Sides of head and neck black, 
in striking- contrast to white or buffy of 
throat and breast ; rest of under parts 
deeper colored and spotted or barred 
with blackish ; top of head sooty black., 
rest of upper parts slaty blue, lighter on 
rump, indistinctly barred with dusky ; 
wing quills blackish, inner webs of quills 
spotted regularly with buffy or yellow- 
ish brown ; tail blackish, crossed by 8 to 
10 light grayish bars, and with narrow 
white tip. Fouw^' ; under parts yellowish 

brown or reddish brown, heavily streaked ^^^^ Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
with dark brown ; upper parts blackisn, Agriculture. 

feathers edged with rusty ; tail spotted Fig. 235. 




168 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

with reddish brown and conspicuously tipped with bufPy. Male : length 
15.50-18.00, wing- 11.30-13.00, tail 6.00-7.50, biU .75-.80. Female : length 
18-20, \ying 13.00-14.75, tail 6.90-9.00, bill .85-1.00. 

Distribution. — America, north of Chili ; migratory in the northern part 
of its range ; breeding locally throughout most of its United States range. 

Eggs. — Usually laid on bare ground or rock, on a ledge or crag, or 
sometimes in hollows in trees or old nests of other hawks, generally«4, 
creamy or yellowish white, overlaid with brown or brick red. 

Food. — Almost exclusively water birds. 

As the duck hawk lives mainly on waterfowl and shore birds it 
follows them from the north on their migrations. Its flight is so 
rapid that it easily overtakes the swift-winged ducks, and it is so 
bold as to attack and kill birds twice its weight. It ranks next to 
the goshawk as a fierce bird of prey. 

356a. Falco peregrinus pealei Eidgw. Peale Falcon. 

Adults. — Like F. p. anatum, but head and upper parts uniform dark 
slate blue ; barred on back of wings and tail ; chest marked with tear- 
shaped blackish spots, and rest of under parts broadly barred with black- 
ish. Young : under parts sooty black, streaked with buffy or bufPy white ; 
upper parts with only faint traces of rusty feather margins. Male : wing 
12.95, tail 6.75, bill .84. Female: wing 14.66, tail 7.84, bill .96. 

Bemarks. — The adult Peale falcon can be distinguished from the duck 
hawk by the uniform coloration of head and back, and the young by the 
black under parts. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region of North America from Oregon 
north to the Aleutian and west to the Commander Islands, breeding 
throughout its range. 

Nest. — On ledges of high cliffs. 

The Peale falcon is said to live largely on auklets and murrelets in 

Alaska. 

Subgenus JEsalon. 

Tarsus scarcely feathered above, longer than middle toe without claw. 

357. Falco columbarius Linn. Pigeon Hawk. 

Middle tail feathers crossed by not more than four blackish or five 
lighter bands. Adult male : under parts heavily 
striped on whitish, buffy, or rusty ground, strip- 
ing lightest or wanting on throat ; upper parts 
bluish gray, with black shaft streaks, hind neck 
mixed with whitish, buffy, or yellowish brown ; 
wing quills blackish, inner webs distinctly barred 
or spotted. Adult female : upper parts brownish, 
top and sides of head streaked with blackish ; 
under parts whitish or buffy, without rusty tinge. 
Young: like female but darker, or tinged with 
rusty or yellowish brown above, and whitish or 
buffy below. Male: length 10-11, wing 7.40-7.80, 
tail 4.65-5.20, bill .48-50. Female : length 12.50- 
13.25, wing 8.35-8.60, tail 5.30-5.50, bill .55-.60. 
Remarks. — In the field the pigeon hawk might 

c, D , , o TT he mistaken for the young sharp-shinned, but 

From Biological Survey, U. ti , t ,• • i i i ^i ^ -i xi ^ i« 

S. Dept. of Agriculture. can readily be distinguished by the tail, that ot 

Fig. 236. the sharp-shin being grayish brown, with half inch 




FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 169 

black bands, that of the pigeon hawk being brown, with quarter inch 
whitish bands. 

Distribution. — North America from the Arctic Ocean south in winter to 
the West Indies, and from the southern states to northern South America ; 
breeding- mainly north of parallel 43°, except in the mountains, where it 
extends farther south. 

Nest. — On ledges of cliffs and sometimes in trees or hollows of trees. 
The cliff nests have little material, the tree nests are bulky, made of 
sticks, grass, or moss, and lined with feathers, inner bark, and other soft 
material. Eggs : 4 or 5, ground color white, usually hidden by blotched 
reddish brown suffusion. 

Food. — Mainly birds and insects ; occasionally small mammals. 

"This spirited little hawk is one of the most common birds of prey 
within its northern range. It feeds chiefly upon small birds, but 
often attacks birds much larger than itself. ... It seldom watches 
from a perch, or hovers in the air as it sights its prey, but as a rule 
darts rapidly through the thickets and over the open grounds, giving 
chase to the birds startled in its course. ... In flight, like others 
of the falcon family, it strikes rapidly with its wings, never sailing 
except for a short distance." (Goss.) 

357a. F. c. SUCkleyi Ridgw. Black Merlin. 

Adult male. — Upper parts blackish brown, wing coverts and tertials 
slaty, tail coverts bluish slate ; tail black, with three slaty whitish bars, 
and tip marked with whitish ; throat white streaked with black ; rest of 
imder parts blackish brown with whitish and tawny markings. Adult 
female and young : under parts heavily marked with dusky ; upper parts 
blackish brown, wing coverts and tertials slaty ; tail coverts bluish slate ; 
inner webs of quills not distinctly spotted or barred ; tail bands, except 
for whitish tip, indistinct or obsolete. Male : wing 8, tail 4.90, tarsus 
1.40, bill .70. Feinale : wing 8.25-8.50, tail 5.70-5.80. bill .55-.60. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast from northern California to Sitka. 

Singularly enough the adult male black merlin had never been 
described till Mrs. Fannie Hardy Eckstorm published a description 
in 2'he Auk, October, 1902, from a bird given Mr. Manly Hardy by 
Major Bendire, who shot it at Fort Klamath, Oregon. 

The hawk is by no means as rare as this oversight would indicate. 
Mr. Rathbun has even seen one in Seattle, near the business part of 
the city, and noted the bird a number of times along Lake Washington. 

358. Falco riehardsonii Ridgiv. Richardson Merlin. 

Coloration much like that of the pigeon hawk, but averaging lighter; 
middle tail feathers crossed by 5 dark and 6 light bands. 

Distribution. — Interior and western plains of North America, from the 
Mississippi to the Pacific ; breeding from Saskatchewan south to Colorado; 
wintering in Texas. Arizona, and probably Mexico. 

Nest, eggs, and food as in i^. columbarius, p. 168. 

Male: wing 7.70-8.05, tail 4,90-5.30, bill .50-.60. Female: length 
12.00-13.50, wing 8.80-9.10, tail 5.70-6.30, biU .55-.60. 

The habits of the Richardson merlin so far as known are the same 
as those of the pigeon hawk. 



170 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



Subgenus Rhynchofalco. 

Tarsus scarcely feathered above, little longer than middle toe without 
claw. 

359. Falco fusco-ccBrulescens VieilL Aplomado Falcon. 

Adults. — Sides of head black, with white central blotch ; throat and 
chest white ; sides and flanks slaty blackish, narrowly barred with white ; 
upper parts plain bluish gray ; wide stripe from eye becoming- yellowish 
brown in encircling back of head ; wing more than 9 inches, with one white 
bar ; tail tipped with white and crossed by about eig-ht narrow white 
bands. Young : similar to adult but colors duller, the upper parts less 
bluish, white of breast buflfy, more or less marked with dusky, belly and 
thighs paler. Male : length 15, wing 9.20-10.70, tail 6.30-8.00, bill .60- 
.68. Female : length 17-18, wing 11.00-11.60, tail 7.80-8.80, bill .71-80. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, south 
to Patagonia. 

Nest. — A platform of twigs and plant stalks, generally lined with grass ; 
placed in mesquite, yucca, or cactus. Eggs : usually 3, yellowish white, 
almost obscured by varying shades of brown. 

Food. — Probably largely small mammals, birds, and insects. 

The Aplomado falcon is a bird of the mesquite, cactus, and yucca 
plains, where it finds a goodly supply of its favorite foods. When 
hunting it often hovers in the air like a sparrow hawk, but unlike 
most hawks rests mainly on the ground. For a falcon it is said to 
be rather a quiet, spiritless bird. 

Subgenus Tinnunculus. 
Tarsus scarcely feathered above, longer than middle toe with claw. 

360. Falco sparverius Linn. Sparkow Hawk. 

Adult male. — Top of head bluish or 
slaty, with or without rufous crown 
patch ; cheeks with two black stripes ; 
back rufous, with or without black 
bars or spots ; wings bluish gray ; tail 
rufous, with black subterrainal band ; 
under parts varying from white to 
rufous, with or without black spots. 
Adult female : similar, but back, 
wings, and tail barred with dusky. 
Young: similar to adults, but colors 
more blended and — in male — feath- 
ers of upper parts edged with whitish. 
Male: length 8.75-10.60, wing 7.16, 
tail 4.73, bill .50. Female: length 
9.50-12.00, wing 7.57, tail 5.14, bill 
..50-.55. 

Distribution. — North America from 
Great Slave Lake south, east of the 
Rocky Mountains, to northern South 
America. 

Nest. — In holes, usually in dead 
Fig. 237. trees. Eggs : 2 to 5, varying from 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Ucpt. ol 
Agriculture. 




AUDUBON CARACARA 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 171 

pure white with few markings to deep cinnamon buff, more or less sprin- 
kled or blotched with darker brown. 

Food. — Mainly grasshoppers and crickets ; also other insects, snails, 
small injurious mammals, and sometimes birds. 

The habits of the eastern sparrow hawk are the same as those of 
the western. 

360a. F. s. deserticola Meams. Desert Spabkow Hawk. 

Similar to F. sparverius but larger, with relatively longer tail and paler, 
more rufous coloration. 

Distribution. — Western United States and British Columbia ; south to 
Guatemala. 

Food. — Small mammals such as mice and gophers, with grasshoppers 
and other insects. 

The marsh hawk and the sparrow hawk are the two most familiar 
members of the hawk family. Instead of spending their time soaring 
liigh in the sky or darting back and forth through the treetops, 
Circus beats slowly low over our meadows for mice, while the spar- 
row hawk builds his nest in a knot-hole of a tree by the roadside 
and sits on a fence post when not hovering over the meadow looking 
for grasshoppers. His handsome, trim little person is familiar to 
passers by, while his shrill Mlly-Mlly-Mlly, given as he hovers, is one . 
of the pleasant well-known sounds of the open country. 

In the mountains the sparrow hawks often affect the high places. 
On Mount Shasta they have been seen at about 13,000 feet. On Las- 
sen Peak, Mr. W. K. Fisher saw one in such hot pursuit of a Clarke 
crow that it took refuge in a clump of hemlocks. In the Wind 
River Mountains they have been seen hovering over large tracts of 
slide rock as if in search of conies and chipmunks. 

GENUS POLYBORUS. 

362. Polyborus cheriway (Jacq.). Audubon Caracaba. 

Bill long, compressed, only slightly hooked ; nostrils linear, oblique, 
slanting down toward cutting edge of bill ; upper mandible scalloped on 
cutting edge ; tarsus nearly twice as long as middle toe without claw, 
almost wholly naked. 

Adults. — Skin of face nearly bare ; horizontal crest and body blackish 
brown except for white collar and white on wings and tail, the white col- 
lar widening to a cape on back, grading from pure white through spotted 
and barred black and white to black ; wings with white shaft streaks and 
grayish white patch on quills ; tail white, with broad black terminal band 
and about 13 or 14 narrow dusky bars. Young : black of adults replaced by 
brown, mixed black and white cape of adult dingy whitish, striped with 
dark brown. Length: 20.50-25.00, wing 14.60-16.50, tail 8.S0-10.C0, bill 
1.20-1.48. 

Distribution. — Resident along the southern border of the United States 
(Florida, Texas, and Arizona) and Lower California ; extending south to 
South America, Ecuador, and Guiana. 



172 FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 

Nest. — A bulky mass of twigs, flags, weeds, coarse grass, leaves, cot- 
ton, or Spanish moss ; placed according to the locality in low bushes or in 
high trees. Eggs : 2 or 3, ground color brown or white, generally entirely 
hidden by spots of darker brown. 

Food. — Carrion, mice, rabbits, fish, and snakes. 

The caracara or Mexican buzzard is the oddest looking bird found 
in that most interesting belt of strange Mexican types, the southern 
border lipe of the United States. In flight it has a wooden look, 
given probably by its curious color pattern and long neck. Head 
and neck appear like one stiff round-headed stick. Its wings look 
stiff and angular too, and as it flaps along their white tips add to 
the singular effect. On your first view of the bird you exclaim in- 
voluntarily, " What a queer looking creature ! " 

In driving from Corpus Christi to Brownsville, while we found the 
Swainson, Harris, and white-tailed hawks common on the open 
prairie, we saw caracaras only on the mesquite or shin oak prairie. 
In the mesquite one day we came to two of the birds standing in the 
road beside a dead snake. As they stood with heads raised, they 
had a proud, hawk-like bearing. 

South of San Ignatius, in driving through the low shin oak, we 
found two caracaras perched on an isolated little round-topped oak. 
They were so big and the tree was so small that they more than 
filled it, looking like huge stuffed birds on meagre standards. They 
were so evidently at home, sitting pluming themselves calmly 
while we stared, that we looked about for a nest and soon discov- 
ered it, a mass of sticks, holding a fuzzy-headed nestling, on the top 
of another small round oak. 

On the coast of southern Texas, Colonel Goss found the caracara 
playing the part the eagles do with fish haw^ks. When the brown 
pelicans were coming to shore with their pouches full of fish, the 
caracaras would dart down screaming and strike at them with their 
talons till the pelicans disgorged their fish, when the robbers would 
calmly take possession of the quarry. 

GENUS PAJSTDION. 

364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.). Fish Hawk. 
Plumage close, firm, imbricated, oily ; feet large and strong, roughly 
granular ; toes all free to the base, outer toe reversible ; claws all the 
same length ; wings long, pointed ; tail short. Adult male : Head, neck 
and under parts white, head more or less streaked with blackish, broad 
dark streak on side of head ; breast sometimes slightly blotched with 
brown; tail narrowly tipped with white and crossed by 6 or 7 narrow 
blackish bands. Adult female : similar, but chest heavily spotted with 
brown. Young : sexes similar to adults, but upper parts blackish brown, 
feathers tipped with white or huffy. Length : 20.75-25.00, extent about 
65, wing 17-21, tail 7-10, bill 1.20-1.45. 



BARN OWLS 



173 



Distribution. — Breeds from Hudson 
Bay and Alaska south throughout the 
United States and Mexico ; migrates to 
the West Indies and northern South 
America. 

Nest. — On the ground, in trees, on 
telegraph poles, cliffs, or deserted build- 
ings, made of large sticks, brush, and 
rubbish, such as weeds and cornstalks, 
lined with softer materials like seaweed, 
cedar bark, and corn leaves. Ji!ggs : usu- 
ally 3, varying greatly in size, color, and 
markings. Ground color generally white, 
sometimes so evenly overlaid as to ap- 
pear huffy or vinaceous, and usually heav- 
ily blotched with brown and wine red. 

Food. — Fish. 

With almost gull-like persistenc}^ 
the fish hawk follows the rivers and 
lakes, circling on crooked wings above 
the surface of the water or perching 
near the shore on the top of some old 
dead tree overlooking the rippling 
surface. When a fish is sighted beloW the long wings are folded 
and with a meteor-like plunge the bird sinks into the water, imbed- 
ding the long hooked talons in the back of the fish. With a few 
powerful strokes of the wings it is np again, carrying the fish with 
talons planted one ahead of the other in its back, to make it go head 
first instead of side wise, so that it will cut the air. With its prey 
the osprey makes for its nest, or if it has no nest flies to a branch 
where it can devour its quarry at leisure. 

Every spring the fish hawks add a new layer to the old nest, and 
if undisturbed will use the same structure as long as the sticks hold 
together. The nests are generally scattered and by no means com- 
mon, but in places where suckers and other fish are abundant and 
easily caught, the ospreys sometimes live in large colonies, coming 
back year after year to the same nests. Vernon Bailey. 




(iL;ical Survoy, U. S. Dept. 
vi Aj^riculture. 

Fig. 238. Fish Hawk. 



FAMILY STRIGIDiE BARN OWLS. 

GENUS STRIX. 
365. Strix pratineola Bonajj. Barn Owl. 

Wings long, pointed, folding beyond tail ; tail short, about half as long 
as wing ; tarsus nearly twice as long as middle toe __ 

without claw, closely feathered above, slightly feath- 
ered and bristly below, as on toes ; feathers of back of 
tarsus pointing upward ; inner toe as long as middle f/T fi^ ^ i 
toe ; inner edge of middle claw pectinated. 

Facial disk pure white to, tawny ; under parts pure I'ig* 239. 




174 



BARN OWLS 




From Biokigical Surve.v , U. S. Dept. 
ol Agriculture. 

Fig. 240. Barn Owl. 



white to yellowisli brown, dotted with triang-ular brown or blackish spots ; 

upper parts yellowish brown, more or 
less overlaid with mottled gray, finely 
streaked with black and white ; wing-s 
and tail with a few dusky bands. Length : 
14.75-18.00, wing 12.50-14.00, tail 5.50- 
7.50, bill .90-1.00. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and 
Lower Sonoran zones of the United 
States, from about latitude 41° (Ne- 
braska), and southward through Mexico. 
Migrates more or less in the northern 
part of its range. 

Nest. — In hollow trees, holes in cliffs, 
barns, old houses, and bell towers. 

Food. — In California, principally go- 
2)hers and ground squirrels, together 
with rabbits, birds, and insects. 

The barn owl, or more appropri- 
ately golden owl, spends its days in 
any dark crevice that it finds con- 
venient, from the hollow branch of a 
tree to barn lofts, garrets, wells, 
windmill tanks, and mining shafts. When driven out of its hiding 
place in the daytime, an old owl will draw itself up, snap its bill, 
and hiss at one in a way that might well terrify a nervous enemy. 
At twilight it leaves its cover and with noiseless flight hurries to 
some low meadow or marsh to hunt. 

In California it preys mainly on gophers and ground squirrels, 
both of which rank among the worst pests in the country. The 
ejected pellets found around the owls' nests often contain nothing 
but gopher hair and bones, and in a number of instances Mr. Clark 
P. Streator has found an accumulation of two or three cubic feet of 
pellets in the trees in which the owls lived. Wherever the owls are 
found they rank among the most beneficial of rapacious birds, for 
they not only live on gophers and ground squirrels in the west, but 
cotton rats in the south, and rats and mice in the north. 

When hunting, the owl's ' peevish scream ' may often be heard, 
and sometimes also a note that Major Bendire compares to the call 
of the nighthawk. But the hungry young make the most noise. 
When camped beside an oak containing a family, Dr. Palmer found 
them a great nuisance from the hissing and shrieking which they 
kept up all night. 

In California in winter Mr. Evermann has found as many as fifty 
barn owls together in the oaks. 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. . 175 

FAMILY BUBONIDiE: HORNED OWLS, ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Small, wing 3.40-7.50. 

2. With ear tufts (inconspicuous in young) . . Megascops, p. 181. 
2'. Without ear tufts. 

3. Tarsus more than twice as long as middle toe. Speotyto, p. 189. 
3'. Tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe. 

4. Tarsus scantily haired Micropallas, p. 191. 

4'. Tarsus densely feathered. 

5. Ear openings very large, the two unlike. 

Nyctala, p. 179. 



5'. Ear openings small, the two alike. 

Glaucidium, p. 190. 
1'. Large, wing 11.50-19.00. 




4 * 



2. With ear tufts. 



3, Ear openings small Bubo, p. 185. 

3'. Ear openings large, reaching almost to top of skull. 

Asio, p. 175. 
2'. Without ear tufts. 

3. Wing 9 inches Surnia, p. 188. 

3'. Wing 12 to 19. 

4. Ear openings small, the two ears not distinctly dif- 
ferent Nyctea, p. 187. 

4'. Ear openings very large, the two strikingly dif- 
ferent. 
5. Toes feathered to claws. . Scotiaptex, p. 179. 
5'. Tips of toes exposed . . . Syrnium, p. 177. 



GENUS ASIO. 

General Characters. — Ear openings immense, almost equal to height of 
skull ; ear tufts more or less developed ; wings about twice as long as tail ; 
feet closely feathered to ends of toes. 



KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Ear tufts short accipitrinus, p. 177. 

1'. Ear tufts long wilsonianus, p. 175. 

366. Asio wilsonianus {Less.). Long-eared Owl. 

Ear tufts dark brown, conspicuous; face mainly yellowish brown ; under 
parts whitish and yellowish, with dark brown shaft streaks and hori- 
zontal bars on belly : flanks yellowish brown, unspotted ; upper parts 



176 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 




Dept. ot AKrioultuvo. 
Fig. 243. Long-iwed Owl. 



mottled i^ray, tawny, ami blaokiah ; \\ini;s aiul tail barvod. Ijniqth ; 
1;{-Ui, wiiio- lUXMLMH), tail (i.lHMl.L'O, ' bill 
.()5. 

Distribution. — Teinpt>iato Ntirth Aiiu>rit'a, 
stiai;<;lini;- south to Mexico in wintor. Hroods 
tbiou,i;lumt. its rant;o. 

Nest. — Usually an old i-vow's nest, built up 
on tho sidos and lined with s^rass, deail leaves, 
and feathers; generally 10 to DO feet, from tho 
i;ri)nud, in bushes or trees in swamps or o\\ bor- 
di>rs o( strt'auis. I'a/j/s : '"> to (>, white. 

Food. — hjjnrious rotlents. whieh it destroys 
in vast numbers, 

'riu'lonu' can'd owl spiMuls its days mostly 
in tlu> thickest coxcv it can tiiul, but wIumi 
this is iu>t (Ic'iisoiMioiiuli io \nv\cnl disi'ov 
rry it protocts ilsclt by nuiuy i'ui;iinis dc- 
vicos. It jilToixls one of tho intorostinij: 
cases where ' uiuH)nsi'ious protective ctdor- 
ation is combined with cousciinis i-n-otei-- 
tive atti(nd(>s.' When Iriiihtcned. Dr. KisluM- says, it rises up, 
'draws the feathers close to (lu> lu)dy and creels tlu> ear lufts. 
resemblino- in a.i>i'>ea ranee a picH-c of \veatherbi>aten bark more than 
n birci.' 

Major Bendin^ surprised oni> while she was killin«;- a uround 
squirrel. To his astonishment, as he says : " All at once she seemed 
to expand to several linu>s her normal si/e, every TeatluM- ra.is(>d and 
standini;- at a riuht anisic from the body ; the wini^s were fully 
spread, thrown up and oblicpiely backward, their outer edi^es touch 
iuix each other over and behind the head, which likewise looked 
abnormally lariic." This remarkable performance was accompanied 
by a loud hissing-. 

The owls, tlunitih sometinu^s seen abroad t>n cloudy days, usually 
hunt at ni^bt. When in Sierra \'all(\v, Califorina, Mr. AValtcr K. 
Fisher eneounter(>d Iheni as rival nuunmalou'ists. He writes: "1 
was out one bright moonlight i\ii>'ht in the sasic brush looking for 
7\'/y>r///)?/,s' and observed aboid. six of these owls (lyintj,- swiftly and 
noiselessly over tlu> plain, evidently huntini:, nuce. They were very 
taine, and ilew close about me, takini!,- no notice of my presence. 
They made no sound whatever." 

Th(\y aT(^ ,i;(Mi(>ra,lly ratlun- cpiiet birds, Major l^endire says, with 
low toned pl(>asin.<>; notes, on(> of whieh he describes as a low twit- 
t(>red whistle. In the brcHuliui;' season, however, they hoot som(v 
wliat like seree(;li owls. 

In sumniini*- np its food habits, Dr. Fisher dcdares it one of tluv 
most beuelieial species, as it destroys 'vast numbers of injuriou.^^ 




HORNED OWLS, ETC. 177 

rodents and sc^ldoin touches insectivorous l)ir(is.' As it is easily 
dcstroycul, lie says it is Uw. owl that sulTers most when short-si/jjhted 
l(\i;islat()rs (!na(;t laws for the destruction of birds of prey. 

367. Asio accipitrinus {P<tll.). Shokt-eaukd Owl. 

Adults. K.-ir iufi.H iiKMdispicuoiis ; cycH with bljuik rin^- and whito eye- 
brows; body varyinj;' from yellowish brown 
i.o bnlVy wlii(,e, (^inspitMntnsly sire.-iked wil.h 
dark brown ; winj^s and lad irrejj;-ularly 
banded with dark brown and bully or yel- 
lowish brown. )'(>iiii(/ : i':u'v brownish 
black, under ])ar<s plain didl bully, tinned 
with j;ra.y in front ; uppcM- par(,s dark 
brown, i.he feailuu's <j])p(Ml with yc^llowish 
brown. LrtK/t/i : Kl.SO-Ki.Tr), win<;- ll.SO- 

i;'>.()(), tail r).8(M;.i(), bill .()()-.(;5. 

I )istrihrtt.um. — Kntire western luMui- 
si)h(>re e.\e(>pt (Jalapayos Islands and part 
of tlu^ West lndi(^s; also nearly Ihrouf^hout 
th(! eastern h(>inisph(>re, (^\eeJ)iinl; Ausira- 
lia. HhumIs in the United Slates irn^ji'u- 
larly and locally from about latitude o!)" ,, ,,,,,, ,, ,, ,, , 

;, , •' Imoui Uiolof^ical Survey, II. b. Dci)t. 

northward. ol Af,MiciiUuic. 

N est. — Of coarse j^rass and sticks, looscdy Fig. 244. 

])ut to<;'ether, and sparsely lined with line 
niai(Mial and feathers of the bird. A'v.V.s" : 1 to 7, white. 

Food. — ljar<;-ely nnce ; also j^ophers, shrews, rabbits, grasshoppeis, 
crickets, and beetles. 

T\\v, habits of Iho short-canHl owl are (|uite mii(|ue. While most 
owls live in trees and woods this bird rarely li<;hts in a, tree, makinc; 
its home in the open country, coast marshes, and islands covered 
with bushes and hi,<>h _L!;rass. It hides in tlu; _i;rass on bright days, 
but in (cloudy wejither often hunts in the monnng and evening or 
even th(> nnddle of the day. Hying low over the ground in its search 
for gopluTs, mice, and grasshopjx-rs, when its long wings make it 
se(^m very large. On the salt marshes of Gray's Harbor, when; Mr. 
Lawrence found the owls Hying about eommonly in nnsty weather, 
he says they looked ' as big as eagles.' There, he says, they sat 
on the edges of the sloughs watching for rats. When Hying high. 
s]Kirting, or ehasing some large bird, he heard them give a shrill 
barking call like the ki-yi of a small dog. 

GENUS SYRNIUM. 

(.Icuciud C/iararttrs. — Wing 12-15, rounded; no ear tufts ; ear oponinc;' 
l.-u'!;(i and with a disliu(^t anterior flap, the two ears conspicuously dilfer- 
ent ; tip of toe exj)osed. 

KKV TO SPECIES. 
I. Head and n(>ck barred. 

2. lTi>per parts dark brown neblllosiim, p. 178. 

2', Upi)er parts pale yellowish brown .... helveoluiil, p. 178. 



178 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 




S. Dept. ol Agnculture 
Fig. 245. 



1 . Head and neck spotted. 
2. Wing broadly tipped with whitish .... occidentale, p. 178. 
2'. Wing- with white tips ahiiost obsolete .... caurinum, p. 170. 

368. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst). Barred Owl. 

Adults. — Head, 7}ecJ^\ and breast wideli/ barred with dark brown and 
white or buffy. belli/ streaked with dark brown on 
whitish or buffy ground ; upper parts mixed dark 
brown, irregularly barred and spotted with buffy. 
whitish, and yellowish brown ; wings and tail 
banded. Young : entire plumage barred except 
tail and wing quills, which are as in aduk ; back 
and Aving- coverts broadly barred, the end of each 
feather white, giving- a spotted effect. Length : 
19.75-24.00, wing- about 10-14, tail about 9. 

/distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper 
Souorau zones from Nova Scotia south to Georgia 
and northern Texas, and west to Colorado. 

Nest. — In hollows of trees, or that of hawk or 
crow. JEggs : 2 to 4, white. 

Food. — Mainly mice and other small mam- 
mals ; also crawfish and insects. 

"In tlie central and southern parts of its 
range it is quite common, frequenting mostly 
the licavy timbered and, preferably, swampy 
tracts near watercourses, and spending the days generally in natural 
hollows of trees or in dense shrubber}^ Like most of the birds of 
this family, it is nocturnal in its habits, but nevertheless sees well 
enough, and even occasionally hunts in the daytime, especially 
during cloudy weather. . . . 

"The flight of the barred owl ... is easy, and though quite 
swift at times, it is perfectly noiseless. A rapidly passing shadow 
distinctly cast on the snow-covered ground is often the sole cause 
of its presence being betrayed as it glides silently by the hunter's 
camp-fire in the still hours of a moonlight night. Far oftener, 
however, it announces itself by the unearthly weird call-notes 
peculiar to this species, which surpass in startling effect those of 
all other owls with which I am familiar." (Bendire.) 

368b. S. n. helveolura Bangs. Texas Barked Owl. 

Pallid, back, wings, and tail pale yellowish brown or cinnamon, light 
bars and spots on wings large and white ; light bars on tail wider and 
paler than in iS. nebulosum ; under parts paler, dark striping and barring* 
browner, ground color Avhiter ; feathers of tarsus buffy, without dusky 
markings. Type: female: wing- 13, tail 8.32. Topotype : male adult: 
wing- 13.64, tail 8.40. 

Distribution. — Southern Texas (and northern Tamaulipas, Mexico ?). 

369. SyrniurQ occidentale Xanttis. Spotted Owl. 

Upper parts brown, head and neck coarsely spotted (instead of barred) 
with round white spots ; wing quills spotted with pale brown and whitish. 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 179 ' 

and broadly tipped with whitish ; tail banded ; under parts whitish, barred and 
spotted with brown. Length : 19, wing 12.00-13.50, tail 8.50-9.00, bill .00. 
Distribution. — From southern Colorado and New Mexico to California 
and south to Lower California and northwestern Mexico. 

The spotted owl is the western representative of the barred owl, 
and is so closely confined to the thinly settled mountain regions of 
the west that little is known of its habits. Mr. Lyman Belding 
compares its call to the barking of a dog. 

369a. S. O. caurinum Merriam. Northern Spotted Owl. 

kSiniilar to the spotted owl, but darker, with white spots and markings 
restricted, especially on head and back ; wing- quills darker, the broad 
white tip almost obsolete. Winy : 12.10; tail (middle feathers) 8.06. 

Distribution. — Coast region of Washington and British Columbia. 

GENUS SCOTIAPTEX. 

370. Scotiaptex cinerea {Gmel). Great Gray Owl. 

Ear tufts wanting ; ear openings large, with conspicuous anterior flap, 
the two ears strikingly different ; bill and feet small, bill inconspicuous 
among facial feathers ; toes entirely covered with feathers ; eyes yel- 
low, eye ring black ; face with concentric rings of gray and dark brown ; 
upper parts sooty, mottled with gray and blackish ; wing quills and tail 
banded ; under parts mixed sooty and whitish, with irregular sooty streak- 
ing ; flanks and legs barred. Length : 25-30, extent 54-60, wing about 
1(>-18, tail 11.00-12..50. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, south in winter to the northern 
border of the United States. 

Nest. — In evergreens, made of sticks, feathers, and sometimes mosses. 
Jl^ggs : 2 to 4, white. 

Food. — Mainly rabbits, mice, and other small mammals, together with 
birds. 

" Its great predilection for thick woods, in which it dwells doubt- 
less to the very limit of trees, prevents it from being an inhabitant 
of the barren grounds or other open country in the north. It is 
crepuscular or slightly noctnrnal in the southern parts of its range, 
but in the high north it pursues its prey in the daytime. In the 
latter region, where the sun never passes below the horizon in sum- 
mer, it is undoubtedly necessity and not choice that prompts it to be 
abroad in the daylight. . . . The note of this owl is said to be a 
tremulous, vibrating sound, somewhat resembling that of the screech 
owl." (Fisher.) 

GENUS NYCTALA. 

General Characters. — Wing 5.25-7.40 ; ear tufts wanting ; ear openings 
nearly equal to height of skull, with anterior flap, the two ears conspic- 
uously different ; feet thickly feathered to claws. 

key to species. 

1. Wing 6.50 or more richardsoni, p. 180. 

r. Wing less than 6. 



180 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



2. Lighter acadica, p. 180. 

2'. Darker scotaea, p. 181. 

371. Nyctala tengraalrai richardsoni (Bonap.). Kichakd- 

SON Owl. 

Adults. — Eye ring black, face whitish ; under parts gray, heavily 
blotched with dark brown across breast and streaked with dark brown on 
belly ; upper parts dark brown, spotted with white ; flanks and feet 
usually buffy, more or less spotted with brown ; under tail coverts striped 
with brown. Young : face blackish, eyebrows and malar streak white in 
sharp contrast ; wings and tail like adult ; body plain seal brown except 
for yellowish brown on bellv and flanks ; flanks more or less spotted with 
brown. Length : 9-12, whig 6.60-7.40, tail 4.10-4.70. 

Distribution. — Northern North America from the limit of trees south 
in winter to Oregon and Colorado. 

Nest. — Probably in holes in trees and, in absence of trees, in bushes. 
Eggs : probably 3 to 7, white. 

Food. — Mice, small birds, and insects. 

" Richardson's owl is a boreal species 'in habiting North America 
from the limit of trees south to the northern tier of states. ... It is 
common throughout northern Alaska, wherever trees or large bushes 
occur to afford it shelter. ... It is nocturnal in its habits, remain- 
ing quiet during the day in the thick foliage of the trees or bushes. 
In fact, its vision is apparently so affected by bright light that many 
specimens have been captured alive by persons walking up and 
taking them in their hands. On this account the Eskimo in Alaska 
have given it the name of ' blind one,' " (Fisher.) 

372. Nyctala acadica (Gjnel.). Saw-whet Owl. 

Adults. — Eye ring whitish, face streaked with dark brown ; under parts 

white, streaked vertically with reddish 
brown, most thickly on breast ; upper 
parts olive brown, marked with white, 
finely streaked on head, and coarsely 
streaked or spotted on back, wings, and 
tail ; feet plain white or buffy. Young : 
face blackish, in sharp contrast to 
white eyebrows and white malar 
streak ; upper parts and breast plain 
dark seal brown ; wings and tail as in 
adult ; belly yellowish brown. Length : 
7.2,5-8.50, wing 5.25-5.90, tail 2.80- 
3.25. 

Distribution. — From about latitude 
50° to southern United States, breed- 
ing south to Pennsylvania, New Mex- 
ico, and California. 
Nest. — A deserted woodpecker hole, hollow of a tree, or old squirrel's 
nest. Eggs : 3 to 7, white. 

Food. — Almost wholly mice, but also other small mammals and insects. 

The deeper and darker the forest the better it suits this little 




Fig. 246. 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 181 

gray-coated night woodsman. In the daytime he snuggles up to 
some gray trunk under the thick branches of a dark spruce, or hides 
in the leafy canopy of a forest tree. At night he floats on noiseless 
wings along the edges of the open parks and meadows, passing 
from tree to tree and bush to bush, dropping on unsuspecting mice 
that rustle the grass or venture into the open spaces under the trees, 
finding an abundance of food even when the snow is deep and the 
nights crisp and cold. 

With the first thaws of early spring his love-song is heard, — a 
soft scraping note repeated monotonously in quick succession for 
half an hour at a time. It usually comes first from the woodpecker 
hole where he has been spending the day, but later in the evening 
is repeated from the branches in different parts of the woods. Before 
the snow has all gone the eggs are laid, sometimes in the woodpecker 
hole where his voice was first heard, sometimes in another near by. 
By the time the first really warm spring weather has come the young 
have hatched. Then the old birds are too busy catching mice for 
their large family to give much time to music, and they are not 
heard again regularly until the next spring. But they have many 
soft little talking notes that you can hear by sleeping in their woods 
on still summer nights. Vernon Bailey. 

372a. N. a. SCOtsea Osgood. Northwest Saw-whet Owl. 

Similar to N. acadica, but darker, dark markings everywhere heavier ; 
flanks, legs, and feet more rufeseent. Wing : 3.83, tail 2.66, tarsus 1.03. 

Distribution. — Puget Sound region, north to Queen Charlotte Islands, 
B. C. 

GENUS MEGASCOPS. 

General Characters. — Wing : 5.40-7. SO ; ear tufts more or less con- 
spicuous ; ear openings small, the two ears alike ; wings rounded, about 
twice the length of the short rounded tail ; tarsus feathered. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Toes feathered or bristly. 

2. Size large, wing averaging about 7 or more. 
3. Plumage dark and heavily mottled. 

4. Dichromatic ; brown form with back deep sooty brown. Oregon 

to Sitka kennicottii, p. 183. 

4'. Monochromatic ; back grayish brown. East of Cascades. 

macfarlanei, p. 184. 
3'. Plumage pale ashy gray, lightly streaked. Rocky Mountains. 

maxwelliae, p. 183. 
2'. Size smaller, wing averaging 6.60 or less. 

3. Wing averaging less than 6 ; plumage dichromatic. 

4. Throat without fulvous collar. Southwestern Texas and Mexico. 

mccalli, p. 183. 

4'. Throat with partial collar of mottled fulvous in gray phase. 

Mexico and southern Arizona .... trichopsis, p. 184. 



182 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



3'. Wing averaging over 6.40. 

4. Dichromatic, red or brownish gray. Eastern United States. 

asio, p. 182. 
4'. Not dichromatic, always gray. 

5. Back brownish gray. Coast region of California. 

bendirei, p. 183. 
5'. Back clearer gray. 

Plumage light gray, narrowly and sharply streaked below 
with black. Mexico to southern Arizona and New Mexico. 

cineraceus, p. 183. 
6'. Plumage dark gray, heavily streaked with black. South- 
ern Colorado, northern Arizona, and New Mexico. 

aikeni, p. 184. 
1'. Toes entirely naked to base. 

2. Throat with conspicuous band of ochraceous, lower parts lightly 

mottled idahoensis, p. 185. 

2'. Throat without distinct band of ochraceous, lower parts more heavily 
mottled flammeola, p. 184. 

373. Megascops asio (Linn.). Screech Owl. 

Dit'lironiatir : gr;iy or reddish brown, without regard to age, sex, or 
season ; ear tufts conspicuous ; toes thinly 
feathered or bristly on top. Adults : gray 
phase : upper parts dull brownish gray, with 
shaft streaks and fine mottlings of dusky ; 
edge of scapulars and row of spots on edge 
of wing white or creamy ; lower parts gray- 
ish white, with heavy shaft streaks and 
light cross - lines of black. Hed phase : 
upper parts clear rich rufous, with a trace 
of black shaft lines and with white scap- 
ular streaks and spots on edge of wing ; 
lower parts streaked and mottled with ru- 
fous and white, and with faint black shaft 
streaks. Young : plumage barred or banded 
with grayish or whitish, without longitu- 
dinal markings. Length : 7.50-10.00, wing 
6.00-7.10, tail 3.05-3.50. 

Distribution. — Temperate eastern North 
America, south to Georgia ; west to about 
the 100"^ meridian. 

Nest. — A hollow in a tree or old wood- 
pecker hole, 3 to 40 feet from the ground. 
Eggs : usually 4 or 5, white. 
Food. — Mammals, birds, reptiles, batrachians, fish, crustaceans, and 

insects. 

"The common screecli owl is distributed throughout the whole of 
the United States and the southern portions of the British Provinces. 
It is separable into several geographic races as is usual in species 
having such an extensive distribution. . . . Their food consists of 
a great variety of animal life. ... At nightfall they begin their 
rounds, inspecting the vicinity of farmhouses, barns, and corncribs, 
making trips through the orchards and nurseries, gliding silently 




From Biological Survey, U. b. Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 247. 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 183 

across the meadows, or encircling the stacks of grain in search of 
mice and insects. Thousands upon thousands of mice of different 
kinds thus fall victims to their industry. Their economic relations, 
therefore, are of the greatest importance, particularly on account of 
the abundance of the species in many farming districts ; and who- 
ever destroys them through ignorance or prejudice should be se- 
verely condemned." (Fisher.) 

373b. M. a. mcealli {Cass.). Texas Screech Owl. 

Dichromatic ; gray or rufous. Gray phase : smaller and darker than asio, 
with more conspicuous dusky shaft streaks above and heavier shaft streaks 
and cross-lines of black below. Rufous phase : much as in asio, the rufous 
predominating' on lower parts. Young : whole plumage, except wing 
quills and tail feathers, barred or banded with grayish or whitish ; the 
black streaks wholly wanting. Length: 6.50-9.00, wing 5.60-6.30, tail 
3.10-3.40. 

Distribution. — From western and southern Texas across eastern border 
of tablelands of Mexico. 

Nest. — In cavities of trees. Eggs : 2 to 5. 

373c. M. a. bendirei (Brewst.). California Screech Owl. 

Not dichromatic ; gray only. Slightly larger than asio, with heavier, 
more marked shaft streaks of black both above and below, and less con- 
spicuous cross-lining below. Smaller and lighter than kennicottii to the 
north. 

Distribution. — California. 

Nest. — Usually in oaks or cottonwoods. 

373d. M. a. kennicottii {Elliot). Kennicott Screech Owl. 

Conspicuously larger and darker colored than asio or bendirei ; upper 
parts dark sooty brown, mottled' and streaked with black; scapular 
streaks and spots on edge of wings rich buff ; lower parts heavily mottled, 
lined, and cross-lined with black ; legs and feet rich buffy brown, finely 
mottled with buffy. Specimens from the southern and eastern part of the 
range lighter and grayer. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast region from Oregon to Sitka. 

373e. M. a. maxwellise {Ridgw.). Rocky Mountain Screech 
Oayl. 

Large and very pale ; white predominating on lower parts ; upper parts 
light ashy or buffy gray, with narrow streaks and faint mottlings of black- 
ish ; white streaks on scapulars and on edge of wings, large ; lower parts 
white, with narrow shaft streaks of black, and fine cross-lines of brown. 

Distribution. — Foothills and adjacent plains of the eastern Rocky 
Mountains from Colorado north to Montana. 

373f. M. a. eineraceus Ridgw. Mexican Screech Owl. 

Small and very gray ; upper parts clear ashy gray, with numerous 
blackish shaft streaks ; lower parts with narrow black shaft streaks and 
fine vermiculations and cross-lines of black, without clear white inter- 
spaces ; feet and legs finely and thickly mottled with dusky ; little trace 
of brown anywhere in plumage. Length: 6.50-8.00, wing 6.10-7.00, tail 
3.44. 



184 HORNED OWLS, ETC. 

Distribution. — Resident in Transition zone of New Mexico, Arizona, 
Lower California, and northwestern Mexico. 

37 Sg. M. a. aikeni Brewst. Aiken Screech Owl. 

About the size of the California screech owl but more ashy, the dark 
markings coarser and more numerous both above and below. Wing : 6.56, 
tail 3.80, bill from nostril .47. 

Distribution. — Colorado and southwesterly to central New Mexico and 
northeastern Arizona 

373h. M. a. macfarlanei Brewst. MacFarlane Screech Owl. 

Size large and colors dark, but lighter than kennicottii ; upper parts 
brownish or sooty gray with black shaft streaks and creamy stripes on 
scapulars and edge of wing ; lower parts with heavy shaft streaks and 
numerous fine cross-lines of black ; legs and feet buffy, slightly mottled 
with dusky. Male : wing 6.96, tail 3.80, bill from nostril ..53. Female : 
wing 7.23, tail 3.85, bill from nostril .57. 

JRemarks. — Macfarlanei is the size of kennicottii but with color ana 
markings more as in bendirei. 

Distribution. — Eastern Washington and Oregon to western Montana, 
and probably intermediate region, and north to the interior of British 
Columbia. 

373.1. M. trichopsis (Wagl). Spotted Screech Owl. 

A small dichromatic species. Gray phase : upper parts brownish gray, 
heavily lined with dusky ; lower parts grayish white, with broad shaft 
streaks and cross-lines of blackish ; a partial collar of mottled fulvous 
across throat and sides of neck. Red phase : mainly light rufous, obscurely 
streaked and barred with dusky. Length: 7.50, wing 5.66, tail 2.89, 
tarsus 1.17. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona to Guatemala. 

374. Megascops flammeola (Eaup). Flammulated Screech 
Owl. 

Adults. — Toes entirely naked to extreme base ; ear tufts small ; upper parts 
grayish, finely mottled and marked with blackish ; stripes on sides of back 
yellowish brown or orange, white beneath the surface ; under parts whitish, 
marked with broad mesial streaks and narrow cross-bars ; face, throat, 
and upper parts sometimes washed with orange brown. Young : upper 
parts mottled transversely with gray and white, but without black streak- 
ing ; under parts similarly but coarsely and regularly barred. Wing : 
5.10-5.60, tail 2.60-3.00. 

Distribution. — From northern California and Colorado south to the high- 
lands of Guatemala. 

Nest. — In old woodpecker holes. Eggs : 3 or 4, white. 

Food. — Small mammals, scorpions, and beetles, and other insects. 

" From what we know of the habits of the flammulated owl they 
seem to vary but little from the other races of the screech owl fam- 
ily. They are apparently strictly nocturnal, and their food consists 
of tlie smaller mammals, as well as beetles and other insects." (Ben- 
dire.) 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



185 



374a. M. f. idahoensis ilfemaTn. Dwarf 
Screech Owl. 

Similar to the flammulated but smaller and 
paler, especially on under parts in -whicli the 
ground is white, and the markings restricted ; 
facial ring bright tawny brown. Wing : 4.8G, 
tail 2.42. 

Distribution. — Idaho and eastern Washing- 
ton. 

GENUS BUBO. 

General Characters. — Length : 18-23 ; ear 
tufts conspicuous ; ear openings small, without 
anterior flap, the two ears not distinctly differ- 
ent ; wing with 2 or 3 quills cut out ; toes cov- 
ered with short but dense feathers; claws 
wholly exposed. 





f%. 






^^M| 






fe^^'^^p 


^ 




^ 


w 


s 


^^ 


fc 


.m 


Sfm 


^^ 




^m/^t ■: 


' 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



From !!Ml,,-u'al >urv,.y, U. S. 
iJopt. of Ajrnculture. 
24S. Dwarf Screech Owl. 
186. 

186. 



1. Upper parts dark colored. ^^S 

2. Feet barred with black and buffy pacificus, p, 

2'. Feet barred with black and rusty brown . . . saturatus, p, 

1'. Upper parts light colored. 

2. Upper parts largely gray and buffy .... pallescens, p, 
2'. Upper parts largely white arcticus, p, 



185. 
186. 



375a. Bubo virginianus pallescens Stone. Western Horned 
Owl. 

Adults. — Ear tufts blackish ; iris bright yellow ; ring around face black ; 
throat white ; rest of under parts white or buffy, mottled and barred with 
brownish ; flanks buffy ; upper parts mottled dark brown, light grayish, 
and buffy, lighter colors prevailing ; wing quills and tail banded with dull 
brown ; whole plumage irregularly varied with buffy, tawny, whitish, and 
dusky. Young : wing quills and tail feathers as in adult, rest of plumage 
dull buffy or ochraceous, everywhere barred with dusky, Male: length 
18-23, extent about 49-.52, wing about 14.50-15.25, tail 8.25. Female : 
length 22-25, extent about 57, wing 16, tail 9. 

Distribution. — Western United States, east through the Plains, casually 
to Wisconsin and Illinois ; and from British Columbia and Manitoba south 
over the Mexican tablelands. 

Nest. — A hole in a hollow tree, cliff, bank, or cave, or an old nest of a 
crow or hawk. Eggs : usually 2 or 3, white. 

Food. — Largely mammals such as rabbits, prairie dogs, ground squir- 
rels, skunks, and wood rats, game birds, waterfowl, smaller land birds, 
and, in settled regions, poultry. 

The eyesight of the horned owls seems to be better than that of 
most owls, and Dr. Fisher thinks that in the breeding season they 
hunt indifferently night or day. In disposition, he says, they are 
"fierce and untamable, and in point of strength and courage infe- 
rior to none of our rapacious birds." Speaking of their food habits, 
the doctor says that "a bird so powerful and voracious may at times 
be a source of great benefit, while at other times it may be the cause 



186 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 




Fig. 249. Western Horned Owl. 



of great damage. Now, 
the serious inroads it 
makes on the tenants 
of the poultry yard, as 
well as the destruction 
of many game and song 
birds, would seem to 
call for the total sup- 
pression of the species. 
Again, when engaged 
chiefly in the capture of 
injurious rodents, which 
threaten the very exist- 
ence of the crops, it is 
the farmer's most valu- 
able ally, and conse- 
quently should be most 
carefull}^ protected." 

The horned owl is one 
of the earliest breeders 
of the birds of prey. 
In the southern part of 
its range, eggs are laid 
in December and January, and in Alaska they have been found in 
April when it was so cold that they froze on being taken from the 
nest. 

375b. B. V. arcticus (Swains.). Arctic Horned Owl. 

Similar to the western horned owl, but ground color white and dark 
markings usually much restricted ; under parts pure white, or only slightly 
barred. 

Distribution. — Arctic America, south in winter to Nebraska, and from 
Dakota to Idaho. 

Nest. — In trees, often a deserted hawk's or crow's nest. Eggs : 2 or 3, 
white. 

Food. — Largely waterfowl, ptarmigan, and arctic hares. 

375o. B. V. saturatus Ridgw. Dusky Horned Owl. 

Like B. v. pallescens, but plumage extremely dark, face generally sooty 
brownish mixed with grayish white ; plumage usually without excess of 
yellowish brown, sometimes with none. 

Distribution. — West coast region from Monterey County, California, to 
Alaska, and eastward to northern Rocky Mountains. 

Nest. — As described by Kennicott, in the top of a spruce, made of dry 
branches, lined with feathers. Eggs : probably 2 to 4, white. 

375d. B. V. pacifieus Cassin. Pacific Horned Owl. 

Small, strongly mottled, upper parts grayish, with more or less buffy 
admixture ; dark markings of under parts distinct ; tarsus strongly mottled. 
Wing: 13. 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



187 



Distribution. — Valleys and southern coast of California, and east to San 
Francisco Mountain, Arizona. 
Eggs. — Usually 3. 

GENUS NYCTEA. 

376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Owl. 

Ear tufts rudimentary ; ear openings small, without anterior flap, the 
two ears not distinctly different ; tail not reaching- beyond tips of longest 
under coverts ; four outer quills emarginate ; toes covered with long 




From The Osprey. 
Fig. 250. 



hair -like feathers, partly or wholly concealing the claws ; bill nearly 
concealed by loral feathers. Adult male : body pure white, sometimes 
almost unspotted, but usually marked more or less with transverse spots 
or bars of slaty brown. Adult female : much darker, pure white only on 
face, throat, middle of breast and feet, the head spotted, and the rest 
of the body barred with dark brown. Male : length 20-23, wing 15.50- 
17.30, tail 9.00-9.70, bill 1. Female : length 23-27, wing 17.30-18.70, tail 
9.70-10.30, bill 1.10. 



188 HORNED OWLS, ETC. 

Distribution. — Breeds in arctic portions of the northern hemisphere, 
migrating south in North America almost across the United States and 
even reaching, accidentally, the Bermudas. 

Nest. — In a slight depression of the ground, on a knoll, made of a few 
feathers, lichens, or moss. Egys : usually 5 to 7, white. 

Food. — In summer, lemmings and meadow mice ; in winter, fish, hares, 
muskrats, squirrels, rats, ptarmigans, ducks, and even offal. 

The snowy owl is a circumpolar species, breeding in the arctic 
parts of the northern hemisphere and coming south in winter, 

Mr. Nelson, while traveling south of the Yukon in December, shot 
an owl whose nearly immaculate milky white plumage was suffused 
with ' a rich and extremely beautiful shade of clear lemon yellow, 
exactly as the rose blush clothes the entire plumage of some gulls in 
spring. The morning after the bird was killed the color was gone, 
the plumage being dead white.' 

GENUS SURNIA. 

377a. Surnia ulula caparoch [Mull). American Hawk Owl. 

Head without ear tufts ; ear openings small like Bubo and Nyctea ; tail long, 
more than two thirds length of wing, graduated; tarsus scarcely or not longer 

than middle toe ; feet thickly 
Jl-^l^^ftMf}^iW^,.^. feathered to claws. Adults : face 




grayish white, encircled hy heavy 
black ring ; patches on throat, 
sides of head, and back of neck 
*^* ■ black ; chest band whitish ; rest 

of under parts closely and regularly barred with brown and white ; top 
of head and hind neck blackish or brownish, dotted with white ; rest of 
upper parts dark brown, mainly spotted or barred with white. Young : 
upper parts dark brown, feathers of top of head and hind neck tipped 
with grayish buff, those of back with indistinctly lighter tips ; lores and 
ear coverts brownish black ; rest of face whitish ; under parts whitish, 
washed with sooty on chest, barred below. Length: 14.75-17.50, wing 
about 9, tail 6.80-7.00. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, south in winter to the north- 
ern United States, casually to Massachusetts, and rarely to the British Isles. 
Recorded from northern Montana and Newfoundland in the breeding season. 
Nest. — Old woodpecker holes, natural cavities in trees, and old nests of 
other species relined with moss and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 7, white. 

Food. — Small mammals, such as mice, lemmings, and ground squirrels ; 
also ptarmigans and insects. 

"The hawk owl is strictly diurnal, as much so as any of the hawks, 
and like some of them often selects a tall stub or dead-topped tree in 
a comparatively open place for a perch, w^here it sits in the bright 
sunlight watching for its prey. Although the flight is swift and 
hawk-like, it has nevertheless the soft, noiseless character common 
to the other owls. When starting from any high place, such as the 
top of a tree, it usually pitches down nearly to the ground, and flies 
off rapidly above the tops of the bushes or high grass, abruptly ris- 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



189 



ing again as it seeks another perch. The note is a shrill cry which 
is uttered generally while the bird is on the wing." (Fisher.) 



GENUS SPEOTYTO. 

378. Speotyto cunicularia hypogsea (Bonap.). 
Owl. 



Burrowing 



as long' as 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. 
of Agriculture. 

Fig. 252. 



Tail only about half as long as wing; tarsus more than twice 
middle toe, scantily feathered in front, bare 
behind ; toes bristly. 

Adults. — Upper parts dull earth brown, 
spotted and barred with Avhite and buffy ; 
under parts mainly buffy barred with brown. 
Young : under parts mainly buffy, unmarked ; 
upper parts plain brown except wings and 
tail, which are as in adults. Length: 9-11. 
wing 5.80-7.20, tail 3.15-3.50, bill .55-.60. 

Distribution. — Plains region from the 
Pacific east to Dakota and Texas, and from 
British Columbia and eastern slope of Rocky 
Mountains south to Guatemala. 

Nest.' — At the end of an old burrow of 
prairie dog, badger, or ground squirrel, or in 
a similar cavity. £ggs : 6 to 11, white. 

Food. — Ground squirrels, young prairie 
dogs, mice, gophers, small birds, frogs, liz- 
ards, horned toads, and even fish, together with crickets, grasshoppers, 
beetles, scorpions, and centipeds. 

When you are living in the owls' country, they, like the ground 
squirrels and prairie dogs, come to seem a part of the landscape, and 
as you ride over the great brown stretches you find yourself looking 
for the quaint little * Billy owls ' for life and interest on the mono- 
tonous way. In a region where there are only scattered holes suit- 
able for their nests, solitary owls or families are most often seen, and 
sometimes there will be as many as nine around one burrow. But 
where a ground squirrel colony or prairie dog town offers good nest 
holes the little owls gather in companies. 

In dog towns they often find spacious old badger holes to occupy. 
As you walk about one of the towns and the dogs lope off to their 
holes shaking their little yellow tails as they disappear, the owls 
stand statue-like around their burrows with their eyes upon you. If 
you are bent on getting within good photographing range the young 
ones will go backing down their holes, their solemn round yellow 
eyes fixed on yours till they drop below the earth line. Their elders 
will probably fly before you get your focus, thovigh it is only a low 
short flight to a neighboring mound. It rarely seems to occur to 
them to leave the town. 

The association of owls, dogs, badgers, and rattlesnakes is far from 
being that of the happy family circle it was formerly supposed. The 



190 HORNED OWLS, ETC. 

rattlesnakes are evidently attracted to the towns by the supply of 
tender spring dogs, and it has been suspected that the badgers relish 
a young owl for breakfast. The owls have been accused of joining 
in the neighborly round-robin feast and partaking of the young 
dogs, but, although they eat squirrels and mice in spring and fall, 
they live for the most part on grasshoppers and crickets. They 
hunt mainly in the evening and at night, but are often seen catching 
grasshoppers in the daytime. 

GENUS GLAUCIDIUM. 

General Characters. — Wing 3.50-4.40 ; head without ear tufts ; ear 
openings small, without anterior flap, the two ears alike ; nostril small, cir- 
cular, opening near the middle of the inflated cere ; tarsus not longer than 
middle toe, densely feathered ; tail more than half as long as wing, 
rounded. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Sides plain brown, unspotted . . . . . . phalaenoides, p. 191. 

r. Sides more or less spotted. 

2. Back grayer gnoma, p. 190. 

2. Back browner californicum, p. 191. 

379. Glaucidium gnoma Wagl Pygmy Owl. 

Adults. — Very small, under parts white, thickly streaked with dark 
brown ; sides brownish, indistinctly spotted with lighter ; upper parts dark 
slaty gray, olive brown, or dark rusty brown ; 
-f'-'^&C^y^^'Ssfc^ jcf^ head specked with white ; tail blackish or 

'- ?N brownish, barred with white. Y'oung: like adult, 
but top of head plain gray. Zenq^^A ; 6.50-7.50, 
p. 253 wing 3.40-4.00, tail 2.40-2.80. 

Distribution. — Timbered mountain regions 
of western North America from British Columbia south through Sierra 
Madre of Mexico, except along the humid Pacific coast region. 

Nest. — As far as known, in old woodpecker holes and hollow stubs from 
8 to 20 feet from the ground. Eggs : usually 4, white. 

Food. — Mainly insects, especially grasshoppers ; but also mice and 
lizards. 

"This little owl is divu-nal in its habits, feeding and flying about 
in the bright sunshine, though it is more common in the early dusk 
and morning. Mr. Henshaw says it is fond of taking its station 
early in the morning on the top of an old stub, that it may enjoy 
the warmth of the sun's rays. In most places it is more or less soli- 
tary, though in New Mexico Mr. Henshaw fovmd it extremely socia- 
ble, and in the fall it was usually met with in companies. 

" It is tame and unsuspicious and may be decoyed from a consid- 
erable distance by imitating its call-note, to which it responds at 
once. It is confined mostly to wooded districts, though occasion- 
ally it is found some distance from timber. It hides in the pines or 






HORNED OWLS, ETC. 191 

other thick foliage, where it sits upright near the trunk and is prac- 
tically invisible to the observer. 

' ' The flight is not very much like that of other owls, but resem- 
bles that of the sparrow hawk to some extent, and is not altogether 
noiseless. The love-notes, according to Captain Bendire, are some- 
what musical, although they resemble to some extent those of the 
mourning dove." (Fisher.) 

379a. G. g. calif orni cum (ScL). California Pygmy Owl. 

Similar to G. gnoma but browner, chest heavily washed with reddish 
brown. Young : much paler, ash gray on head and grayish brown on back, 
unspotted. 

Distribution. — Humid coast region from southern British Columbia 
south to northern California. 

Nest. — In deserted woodpecker holes. Eggs : usually 4, white. 

Food. — Largely mammals and small birds. 

380. Glaucidium phalSBnoides {Baud.). Ferruginous Pygmy 

Owl. 

Adults. — Similar to the pygmy owl, but sides of breast plain brown or 
rufous, upper parts varying from grayish brown to bright rufous; head 
finely streaked with whitish ; tail banded, bars varying from white to ru- 
fous and interspaces from grayish brown to blackish. Young : top of head 
plain. Length : 6.50-7.00, wing 3.50-4.60, tail 2.20-3..50. 

Distribution. — From Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, south to south- 
eru Brazil. 

Nest. — As far as known, in hollow trees, or woodpecker holes. Eggs : 
— taken by Sennett — 4, white. 

Tho' little ferruginous owl is diurnal like the other pygmies, flying 
about hunting in bright sunlight. His note, as given by Mr. F. 
Stephens, is a " loud cuck repeated several times, as rapidly as twice 
each second," given with a jerk of the tail and a toss of the head. 

GENUS MI CROP ALL AS. 

381. Micropallas whitneyi (Cooper). Elf Owl. 

Head without ear tufts ; ear openings small ; nostril small, circular, open- 
ing near the middle of the inflated cere ; tarsus 
longer than middle toe, scantily haired ; claws small 
and weak ; tail even, less than one half as long as 
wing ; smallest United States owl. ^4c?m/^s: face with 
white eyebrows ; lores and throat band white, encir- ^^^- ^^• 

cled by brownish ring ; under parts whitish, with vertical blotches of dark 
brown and rusty, finely mottled with darker ; upper parts grayish or gray- 
ish brown, finely mottled with darker and rusty, and indistinctly specked 
with rusty ; tail brownish, crossed by 5 or 6 narrow pale brownish or rusty 
bands, usually interrupted on middle feathers. Length : 5.50-6.25, wing 
4.00--4.40, tail 1.90-2.30. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas to southern California, and south 
through Lower California and tablelands of Mexico. 

Nest. — In old woodpecker holes in giant cacti or hollow trees. Eggs : 2 
to 5, white. 

Food. — As far as known, small mammals, grasshoppers, and beetles. 



192 PARROTS AND PAROQUETS 

Unlike the pygmy owls the elf owls are nocturnal, spending the 
day either in thickets or old woodpecker holes. Major Bendire says 
they become active soon after sundown. He has had them come to 
his camp, attracted probably by the insects which gathered about 
the guard fire through the night. 

When resting in the daytime the little owls are not too stupid to 
protect themselves, as is shown by a curious experience Mr. F. 
Stephens had with one. He startled the owl in a willow thicket, and 
w^hen he found it in the dense tangle, as he says, it w^as "sitting on 
a branch with its face tow^ard me and its wing held up, shield fash- 
ion, before its face. I could just see its eyes over the wing, and 
had it kept them shut I might have overlooked it, as they first 
attracted my attention. It had drawn itself into tlie smallest possi- 
ble compass so that its head formed the widest part of its outline. 
I moved around a little to get a better chance to shoot, as the bush 
was very thick, but whichever way I went, the wing was always 
interposed, and when I retreated far enough for a fair shot, I could 
not tell the bird from the surrounding bunches of leaves. At length, 
losing patience, I fired at random and it fell. Upon going to pick it 
up I was surprised to find another which I had not seen before, and 
which must have been struck by a stray shot." (Quoted by Bendire.) 



ORDER PSITTACI: PARROTS, MACAWS, 
PAROQUETS, ETC. 

FAMILY PSITTACIDiE: PARROTS AND PAROQUETS. 

GENUS RHYNCHOPSITTA. 

382.1. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha (Swains.). Thick- 
billed Parrot. 

Bill larg-e, tip of lower mandible elongated, cut off, and flattened ; tail 
graduated for about one third its length ; cere densely feathered, conceal- 
ing the nostrils. Adults : bill blackish, body green except for poppy red on 
forepart of head and wings, and lemon yellow under wing coverts. Young : 
similar, but bill mainly whitish and red restricted. Length : 16.00-16.75, 
wing 8.50-10.50, tail 6.30-7.00, graduated for 2.25-2.35. 

Distribution. — Mountains bordering tablelands of Mexico ; northward 
casually to the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona. 

A flock of nine or ten thicli-billed parrots seen by Mr. Lusk in the 
Chiricahua Mountains came, as he says, scolding, chattering, and 
calling up a canyon to the edge of the piiion pine belt, where they 
devoted themselves to getting the piiiones. " Investigation of their 
stomachs," he says, " showed nothing but a plentiful quantity of 
very immature pinones wrested from their cavities in the hearts of 
the hard, green cones by their powerful beaks." 



ANIS, ROAD-RUNNERS, AND CUCKOOS 193 

ORDER COCCYGES : CUCKOOS, ETC. 

(Families Cuculid^, Trogoxid^, and Alcedinid^.) 

FAMILY CUCULIDiE: ANIS, ROAD-RUNNERS, AND 
CUCKOOS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail feathers 8 Crotophaga, p. 193. 

r. Tail feathers 10. 

2. Bill long-er than head .= ...... Geococcyx, p. 193. 

2'. Bill not longer than head Coccyzus, p. 195. 

GENUS CROTOPHAGA. 

384. Crotophaga sulcirostris Swains. Groove-billed Ani. 
Bill thick, with a convex crest ; wings rounded ; tail feathers broad, 

widening to very obtuse ends. Adults : 

dull black, feathers of body with ._^_^___^____ 

metallic bluish, greenish, or bronzy "*"^^^^^^^^^ 

edgings ; wings and tail faintly glossed 

with metallic bluish or violet ; upper part of bill with several distinct 

grooves. Young : uniform sooty black. Length : 12.00-14.50, wing 5.50- 

6.50, tail 7.30-8.30. 

Distribution. — In Lower Sonoran and Tropical zones from southern 
Texas south to Peru. Casual in southern parts of California, Arizona, 
Louisiana, and Florida. 

Nest. — Bulky, made of twigs and lined with green leaves, placed often 
in an orange or lemon tree. Eggs : 3 to 5, milky blue. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, and parasites of cattle. 

The groove-billed anis are residents of the lowlands, Major 
Bendire says, rarely being found at an altitude of more than 700 
feet. 

They resemble the cowbirds in their habit of following cattle, and 
not only catch the insects that the cows start up but do a great deal 
of good by relieving the animals of the parasites which infest them. 
When not disturbed the birds become very tame and roost in num- 
bers about the houses. Their call-note, Dr. Ralph thinks, suggests 
that of the flicker — a plee-co repeated rapidly. 

GENUS GEOCOCCYX. 

385. Geoeoecyx californianus (iess.). Road-runner. 

Bare space aroimd eye, orange and blue ; feathers of head and neck 
largely bristle-tipped ; whole plumage coarse and harsh ; eyelids lashed ; 
wings short and concavo-convex, with long inner secondaries folded entirely 
over primaries ; tail long and graduated : upper parts conspicuously 
streaked with brownish white, most heavily on wings ; crest and fore parts 
of back glossed with bluish black, changing to bronzy green or brown ; 
tail long, plain bronzy, blue black, and green, graduated, tips with white 



194 ANIS, ROAD-RUNNERS, AND CUCKOOS 




Fig. 256. Road-runner. 

thumb marks except on middle feathers ; chest brownish white, streaked 
with black; throat and belly whitish. Length: 20-24, wing- 6.50-7.00, 
tan n.50-12.00. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones, from Browns- 
ville, Texas, to San Diego, California, and from central Californiaj Nevada, 
and Kansas, south across tablelands of Mexico. 

Nest. — Compactly built of sticks, lined variously with grass, manure 
chips, feathers, inner bark, mesquite pods, snakeskin, and roots ; placed 
in cacti, bushes, or low trees. Eggs : usually 4 to 6, white or pale yel- 
lowish. 

Food. — Mice, snakes, lizards, crabs, snails, grasshoppers, centipeds, 
caterpillars, beetles, and cactus fruit. 

The road-runner is one of the most original and entertaining of 
western birds. The newcomer is amazed when the long-tailed crea- 
ture darts out of the brush and races the horses down the road, 
easily keeping ahead as they trot, and when tired turns out into 
the brush and throws his tail over his back to stop himself. Even 
the oldest inhabitant likes to talk about the swift runner whom it 
takes a 'right peart cur to catch,' and who eats horned toads, comes 
to drink and feed with the hens in the dooryard one day, and the 
next may be hunted vainly in the dense chaparral or cactus where it 
makes its home. They tell you how they have seen it mount the 



ANIS, ROAD-RUNNERS, AND CUCKOOS 195 

granite boulders on the hills, and after strutting about with wings 
and tail hanging, put its bill down on the rock and pump out loud 
notes, which they interpret as love-calls for its mate in the brush 
below. Many marvelous yarns are spun over the pipes about the 
strange ways of this curious bird, especially about its deadly en- 
counters with rattlesnakes. 

The food of the road-runner may well make him of interest to 
his neighbors. In southern California, where the passion vine is 
used extensively for house decoration, it is infested by a pestiferous 
caterpillar, which he eats with great avidity. He also affects other 
pests. In the stomach of one bird, which we got in New Mexico, 
there were a large black cricket, a number of big grasshoppers, 
remains of a caterpillar and some beetles, a centiped six inches 
long, and a garter snake a foot long ! Such an appetite surely de- 
serves well at the hands of its friends. 

GENUS COCCYZUS. 

General Characters. — Bill not longer than head, and gently curved for 
most of its length ; loral feathers and general plumage soft and blended ; 
tarsus naked, shorter than outer anterior toe and claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill with basal part of lower mandible yellow. 

2. Smaller, wing 5.61, with comparatively smaller and weaker bill. 

americanus, p. 195. 
2'. Larger, wing 5.84, with comparatively larger and stouter bill. 

occidentalis, p. 196. 
1'. Bill wholly black or bluish .... erythrophthalmus, p. 196. 

387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 

Adults. — Lower half of bill plain yellow ; under parts white or ashy ; 
upper parts plain grayish brown, 
faintly glossed with green ; wings 
with inner webs rufous ; tail 
graduated, all but middle feath- 
ers blue black, the outer ones 
tipped with broad white thumb 
marks. Young : tail feathers 
duller and markings less dis- 
tinct. Length: 11.00-12.70, 
wing 5.40-5.80, tail 6.00-6.15 ex- 
posed culmen .97-1.01, depth of 
bill at base .32-. 34. 

Remarks. — The smaller size From Biological Survey,^U^S.Dept. of Agriculture. 

and smaller and weaker bill dis- ^^' 

tinguish this species from the California cuckoo. 

Distribution. — Eastern temperate North America, breeding from Flor- 
ida north to New Brunswick, Canada, and Minnesota ; west to South 
Dakota, Nebraska, Indian Territory, and Texas ; wintering south to Costa 
Rica and the West Indies ; casually to eastern Colorado, Wyoming, and 
North Dakota. 




196 ANIS, ROAD-RUNNERS, AND CUCKOOS 

Nest. — A slight platform of sticks in trees. Eggs : 2 to 4, bluish green. 
Food. — Largely caterpillars, but also grasshoppers, potato bugs, and 
other insects. 

Though an eastern bird, the yellow-billed cuckoo is sometimes 
found in the cottonwoods bordering irrigation ditches in southern 
New Mexico. As it moves about in a treetop looking for caterpil- 
lars, it shows the large white thumb-marks of the under side of its 
tail, and as it flies down to a fence shows the striking reddish 
brown of its wings. As a family the cuckoos are little in evidence, 
being generally hidden in some thick leafy cover looking for cater- 
pillars. When they do fly their long slender bodies pass swiftly by 
in a straight line to disappear in other cover. 

Their presence would often be wholly unknown but for their 
notes, which, like the peacock's, are considered a sign of rain — rain 
crows they are commonly called in consequence. They have a 
variety of notes, the commonest being, as Major Bendire gives it, 
noo-coo-coo-coo or coid-coid-coid. In the breeding season a number of 
males sometimes get together and give a veritable cuckoo concert. 

387a. C. a. OCCidentalis Bidgw. California Cuckoo. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish brown, with faint green gloss ; under 
parts white, grayish across chest ; lower half of hill mainly yellow ; side of 
head with blackish streak ; tail graduated, middle feathers like back, 
tipped with black, the rest blue black, with broad white thumb marks on 
tips ; wing quills mainly rufous on inner webs. Young : like adults, but 
tail duller, without blue, and white not strikingly contrasted with brown. 
Length: 12.30-13.50, wing 5.50-6.00, tail 6.10-6.90, bill 1.02-1.08, depth 
of bill through base .37-.40. 

Distribution. — Western temperate North America, breeding from south- 
ern British Columbia south to central Tamaulipas and northern Chi- 
huahua, Mexico ; from the Pacific east over the eastern slope of the Rocky 
Mountains and western Texas ; migrating to northern Lower California 
and tablelands of Mexico. 

Nest. — A loose platform of twigs, sometimes lined with leaves, dry 
grasses, and flower blossoms ; placed usually in willow or mesquite thick- 
ets, 10 to 15 feet from the ground. Eggs : generally 3 or 4, light greenish 
blue, unspotted. 

Food. — Caterpillars, black crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects. 

The California cuckoo is in all respects the western counterpart of 
the yellow-billed, from which it can be told only by size. 

388. ■ Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.). Black-billed 

Cuckoo. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish brown, faintly glossed with green, tail 

feathers narrowly tipped with dull white, preceded 

by blackish bar ; under parts grayish, fading to 

white on belly ; bill blackish, naked eyelids 

bright red in life. Young : above dull brown, 

Fig. 258. with coppery bronzy luster, becoming dull rusty 



TROGONS 197 

on wings and greenish on tail ; naked eyelids plain yellowish in life. 
Length : 11.00-12.70, wing 5.12-5.65, tail 6.25-7.00. 

Remarks. — The black bill, absence of rufous on wings, and of blue and 
wide white thunab marks on tail distinguish this from the yellow-billed 
forms. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, west to the eastern foothills of 
the Rocky Mountains, and from Labrador, Manitoba, and Assiniboia 
south in winter to the West Indies and the valley of the Amazon. Breeds 
mainly in Transition zone. 

Nest. — Better built than that of the other species, its platform of 
twigs being mixed with inner bark, rootlets, and weed stems, lined often 
with catkins; placed usually not over 6 feet from the ground in trees or 
bushes, on logs, or even on the ground. Eggs ; 2 to 5, bluish green. 

Food. — Largely caterpillars. 

The black-billed cuckoo closely resembles the yellow -billed in 
general habits. Both birds have a trace of the parasitism of the old 
world species, sometimes laying in each other's nests, and on rare 
occasions depositing their eggs in nests of other species. This is 
done more frequently by the black-billed, Major Bendire thinks. 
He holds that the real cause for such unnatural behavior on their 
part is not yet understood, as the cuckoos are most devoted parents. 

FAMILY TROGONIDiE : TROGONS. 

GENUS TROGON. 

389. Trogon ambiguus Gould. Coppery-tailed Trogon. 

Bill short and thick, edges serrated, gape bristled ; eyelids lashed ; 
wings short and rounded ; tail long with broad feathers ; feet small and 
weak ; plumage soft and lax. Adtdt male : 
face and throat black, bordered on breast 
by white crescent ; rest of under parts rose -__^_„_™ 

pink ; upper parts metallic bronzy green ; -^^ 059 

wings mainly grayish ; tail with middle 
feathers shading from bronzy to rich copper color, broadly tipped with 
black, outer feathers white, finely zigzagged with black. Adult female : 
similar, but black of male replaced by gray, and metallic colors replaced 
by grayish brown, becoming reddish brown on middle tail feathers. 
Young : head, neck, and chest dull brownish gray, most of under parts 
grayish ; eye ring and bar across ear coverts white ; rest of upper parts 
brown ; wings with large spots of huffy and black ; tail much like adult 
female. Length: 11.25-12.00, wing 5.10-5.50, tail 6.50-7-20. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas and Arizona south to Mexico. 

Food. — Fruit and grasshoppers and other insects. 

The trogon lives in pines in the mountains of southern Arizona. 
Its note is described by Dr. Fisher as similar to that of a hen turkey. 
The bird the doctor saw calling sat upright on a pine branch with 
tail hanging, and at each note threw back its head and pointed its 
bill to the sky like a peacock. 



198 KINGFISHERS 

FAMILY ALCEDINIDiE : KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS CERYLE. 

General Characters. — Head with occipital crest ; bill longer than head, 
stout, acute ; wings long and pointed ; tail much shorter than wing ; tarsus 
only about half as long as middle toe. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper parts bluish gray. 

2. Belly white alcyon, p. 198. 

2'. Belly rufous torquata, p. 199. 

1'. Upper parts metallic bottle green . . . . septentrionalis, p. 199. 

390. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). Belted Kingfisher. 

Adult male. — Under parts white, with blue gray belt across breast; 
crest and upper parts bluish gray ; nuchal collar white ; wing quills black, 



\\iiMi"S ^ ' '^^^W'^^':t ^^^>'- '"/ , 




marked with white ; tail with middle feathers bluish gray, the rest black, 
spotted with white. Adult female : similar, but belly partly banded and 
sides heavily washed with rufous. Young : like adults, but male with 
breast band and sides tinged with rusty. Length : 11.00-14.50, wing 6.00- 
6.50, tail 3.80-4.30, bill 2 or more. 

Distribution. — North America from the Arctic Ocean south to Panama 
and the West Indies. Breeds from the southern border of the United 
States northward ; accidental at the Hawaiian Islands. 

Nest. — A burrow 4 to 15 feet long, in railroad cuts or perpendicular 
banks over water. Eggs : usually 5 to 8, white. 

Food. — Fish, and when not obtainable frogs, lizards, Crustacea, and 
insects such as coleoptera, grasshoppers, and large black crickets. 

So long as the fishing is good the kingfisher is equally at home in 
Maine, southern Texas, or the Yosemite, but in the Sierra Nevada 
mountains the brown streams polluted by placer mining have no 
attraction for him, and when you hear his rattle as you ride through 
the forest you may know that near by you will find a clear mountain 
brook where you may quench your thirst. 

What rare spots the birds recall 1 They are associated with the 



KINGFISHERS 199 

quieter phases of nature, with still woodland pools and smooth lakes, 
where they give a vivifying touch of active wild life, jln a remote 
narrow canyon, how they thrill you as they dash by overhead — a 
flash of blue and white ! 

When you are idling beside a pellucid stream like the Merced, 
where each overhanging leafy branch is mirrored, each tiny fish seen 
as it lies in the still water, sometimes a sudden plunge and splash 
startles you from a diver who before has been watching from his 
branch, as silent as the brook. He circles back to his perch, where 
his fish glints in the sun as he shakes it, and throwing up his long 
bill, swallows, cleans his beak on the branch, and with a satisfied 
rattle turns to look about, blue crest raised, white collar shining, 
and short tail tipped up in an animated way. Four plunges I 
have seen him make in almost as many seconds, stopping to preen 
himself only after the fourth wetting. Once when he dived in shal- 
low water he did not take the trouble to fly up but stood on the sand 
with tail at an angle till he had finished his fish. When watching 
a pool he will sometimes stand in air hovering over the water a 
moment, then rise and hover at a higher level. 

Though generally found along woodland streams, the kingfishers 
are seen sometimes perched on the rigging of vessels in the har- 
bors. 

[300.1.] Ceryle torquata (Linn.). Great Rufous-bbllied King- 
fisher. 

Adult male. — Upper parts bluish gray, more or less streaked with black ; 
tail spotted with white ; throat and nuehal collar white ; breast and belly 
rufous; under tail coverts and anal region white. Adult female: similar, 
but breast grayish blue, usually bordered behind by white, and lower tail 
coverts and anal region rufous. Length : 15.50-17.00, wing' about 7.50. 

Distribution. — Tropical America (except West Indies). Casual on the 
lower Rio Grande in Texas. 

391. Ceryle americana septentrionalis Sharpe. Texas 
Kingfisher. 

Small ; head not crested. Adult male : upper parts green, spotted on 
wings with white ; chest crossed by broad band of chestnut, bordered be- 
low by green spots ; throat, collar, and belly 
white. Adult female : similar to male but with- 
out chestnut, and with two bands of green spots 
across breast. Young male : like adult, but ^^* '^^^' 

breast more or less tinged with rusty. Length : 6.75-8.50, wing 3.40-3.50, 
tail 2.70-2.75, exposed culmen 1.65-1.85. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas and Sinaloa, Mexico, south to 
Panama. 

Nest. — A burrow in a bank. Eggs : 5 to 6, white. 

Food. — Like that of Ceryle alcyon. 

The habits of the little Texas kingfisher are said to be the same as 



200 



WOODPECKERS 



those of its larger relative. In southern and western Texas many of 
its nests are destroyed by the cloud-burst floods which annually 
sweep the rivers there. 



ORDER PICI : WOODPECKERS, ETC. 
FAMILY PICIDiE: -WOODPECKERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Outside hind toe longer than outside front toe. 
2. Toes 4, 2 pointing- forward, 2 back. 




Fig. 262. 



"O^ 3. Nasal groove extending only about half way to tip of 
i bill . Sphyrapicus, p..210. 



Kg. 



263. 



Fig. 264. 




3'. Nasal groove extending nearly to tip of bill. 



4. Plumage wholly black except for white head and 
white patch on wings , . . Xeiiopicus, p. 207. 

4'. Plumage mainly white below and spotted with white 
above Dryobates, p. 201. 



^ 2'. Toes 3, 2 pointing forward, 1 back . Picoides, p. 208. 



1'. Outside hind toe not longer than outside front toe. 



2. Head with con- 
spicuous crest. 
CeophlcBus, 
p. 213. 



2'. Head without 
crest. 




Fig. 267. 



3. Under surface of wing and tail yellow or red. 

Colaptes, p. 220. 

3'. Under surface of wing and tail not yellow or red ; upper 

mandible with a distinct lateral ridge and nasal groove. 

Melanerpes, p. 215. 



WOODPECKERS 201 



GENUS DRYOBATES. 



General Characters. — Bill straig-ht, square at tip, beveled toward end, 
with sharp culmen and distinct lateral ridges, and large nasal tufts hiding- 
the nostrils ; tongue greatly extensile ; feet with outer hind toe longer than 
outer front toe ; wing long, pointed. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper parts brown . arizonae, p. 206. 

1'. Upper parts black, marked with white. 

2. Outer tail feathers plain white or with only two distinct bars. 

3. Upper parts black, barred with white .... nuttallii, p. 205. 
3'. Upper parts black, with a white stripe down back. 

4. Wing coverts and tertials conspicuously spotted with white. 

leucomelas, p. 201. 
4'. Wing coverts and tertials plain black or lightly spotted with 
white. 

5. Under parts smoky gray harrisii, p. 202. 

5'. Under parts pure white. 

6. Smaller . hyloscopus, p. 202. 

6'. Larger moiiticola, p. 203; 

2'. Outer tail feathers white, barred with black. 
3. Upper parts black, barred with white. 

4. Outer ^eb of outer tail feather barred for more than terminal 

halfH bairdi, p. 204. 

4'. Outer web of outer tail feather barred for only terminal half or 

less lucasanus, 205. 

3'. Upper parts black, with white stripe down back. 

4. Wing coverts conspicuously spotted with white. Middle and 

northern United States medianus, p. 204. 

4'. Wing coverts not conspicuously spotted with white. 
5. Under parts pure white. Rocky Mountain region. 

homorus, p. 203. 
5'. Under parts smoky gray or brown. British Columbia to Cali- 
fornia gairdnerii, p. 203. 

393a. Dryobates villosus leucomelas (Bodd.). Northekn 
Hairy Woodpecker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts black, with a scarlet band across back of 
crown, white stripe down back and wing coverts 
and tertials conspicuously spotted with white ; outer 
tail feathers plain white ; under parts pure clear 
white. Adult female : similar, but without red 
on head. Young : crown with red. Length : Fig. 268. 

10-11, wing: 5.02-5.40, tail 3.60-3.80, bill 1.40-1.62. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, south to about the northern 
border of the United States. 

Nest. — In holes in trees. Eggs : white. 

Food. — Larvae of wood-boring insects, ants, and a small amount of wild 
fruit, berries, and beechnuts. 

The hairy woodpecker, of whatever geographic race, is a quiet, 
solitary bird of the timber, and you may ride through the forests 
day after day without seeing it, as its surprising absence from your 



202 WOODPECKERS 

records on its breeding grounds attests, A sharp peek will sometimes 
reveal its presence, and if you look quickly you may catch sight of a 
vanishing back marked with a white vertical line. 

In working, the hairy woodpecker takes short hops up the tree 
trunk, sidles around, or backs down with equal ease. It is a forest 
preserver, spending its life in ridding the trees of wood-borers and 
other insects that destroy them. When not engaged in getting food, 
it entertains itself by drumming on a resonant branch. 

The Harris woodpecker is the humid Pacific coast form of villosus 
while Cabanis is the interior form. As villosus is a Transition zone 
bird it affects yellow pines and aspens, and in the ponderosa forests 
of Arizona I have seen it excavate in pine bark with wonderful dex- 
terity. Instead of drilling straight down, with its head on one side, 
it would fleck off and send flying the thin flakes of bark which char- 
acterize the tree. In Arizona the young Cabanis woodpeckers leave 
their nests about the middle of June, Dr. Mearns says, and soon after 
make a partial vertical migration downward to the lower edge of the 
pine belt in company with other birds that breed at the higher levels. 
In winter when the timber gets icy the woodpeckers sometimes go 
as low as the cottonwoods, where they are usually accompanied by 
flocks of Cassin finches, red-backed juncos, and their especial com- 
panions, the slender-billed nuthatches. 

393c. D. V. harrisii {Aud.). Harris Woodpecker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts black, with scarlet nape, white stripe down 

back, wing coverts and tertials plain black or lightly spotted with white ; 

outer primaries with white spots; outer 

tail feather plain white ; under parts smoky 

gray or light smoky brown. Adult female : 

similar, but without scarlet nape. Young: 

^^' ' similar, but forehead spotted with white and 

scarlet of nape extending- partly or wholly over crown. Length : 9-10, 

wing- 4.70-5.30, tail 3.20-3.75, bill 1.12-1.40. 

Remarks. — The plain black or very lightly spotted wing coverts and 
tertials of harrisii distinguish it from the northern and southern hairy 
woodpeckers, while its smoky under parts- distinguish it from hyloscopus. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast in humid Transition and Canadian zones, 
from Alaska south to northern California (Humboldt Bay). 
Nest and eggs similar to that of the northern hairy. 

Food. — Wood-boring larvae, wasps, weevils, beetles, ants, seeds, and wild 
berries. 

393d. D. V. hyloscopus (Cab.). Cabanis Woodpecker. 

Similar to D. v. harrisii, but white instead of smoky below, and some- 
what smaller. 

Distribution. — Resident in arid Transition zone of the southwestern 
United States and south to mountains of Zaeatecas, Mexico — replaced by 
harrisii in the humid coast district. 

Nest. — Usually 12 to 18 feet from the ground in pines, aspens, and other 
trees. Eggs : 3 to 6, white. 




WOODPECKERS 203 

Fmd. — Mainly injurious larvse and insect eg-gs, with small berries and 
seeds, pinon nuts, pine seeds, and acorns. 

393e. D. V. monticola Anthony. Rocky Mountain Hairy 
Woodpecker. 

Like hyloscopus, but larger, clearer white below, and with lores chiefly 
or wholly black. Male : wing 5.23, tail 4, bill from nostril 1.12. Female : 
wing 5.04, tail 3.80, bill from nostril .95. 

Remarks. — The Rocky Mountain woodpecker is equal in size and inter- 
grades with the northern hairy, but typical specimens of each can be dis- 
tinguished by the unspotted wing coverts and tertials of the Rocky Moun- 
tain bird. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountain region of the United States from New 
Mexico to Montana ; west to Utah. 

Food. — Moths, wood-boring beetles, ants, other insects, and spiders. 

.394a. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii {Aud.). Gairdner 
Woodpecker. 1 

Adult male. — Upper parts black, with dingy whitish forehead, scarlet 
nape, and white stripe down back ; middle and 
greater wing coverts plain black, or only lightly 
spotted with white ; outer tail feathers white, ^_^ 

barred with black ; under parts smoky gray or j^j 270. 

light smoke brown. Adult female : similar, but 

without scarlet on nape. Young : similar, but with red of nape extending 
partly or wholly over crown. Length : 6.25-7-00, wing 3.55-4.15, tail 
2.30-2.70, bni .70-.80. 

Remarks. — The black barring on the outer tail feathers and the small 
size of J), p. gairdnerii distinguish it from D. villosus harrisii, while its 
smoky under parts and barred tail feathers distinguish it from D. p. ho- 
morus, and its lack of conspicuous wing covert spotting from D. p. me- 
dianus. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia south to southern California ; 
east beyond the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges.^ 

Nest. — 4 to 20 feet from the ground in deciduous trees or old stumps. 

Eggs : 4 or 5, white. 

Food. — Noxious insects and larvae, ants, caterpillars, and scale insects. 

The Gairdner woodpecker is the Pacific coast form of the downy, 
and though smaller resembles the hairy in appearance and habits. 
It is less solitary and less a bird of the forest than the hairy, being 
found in willows and along streams in the foothills, and in settled 
districts in orchards, where it does incalculable good by making way 
with wood -borers that ruin the trees. 

394b.. D. p. homorus {Cab.). Batchelder Woodpecker. 

Like gairdnerii but larger, except for the feet, which are relatively 

1 Dryobates pubescens turati (Malh.). Wn.Low Woodpecker. 

Like gairdnerii but smaller, with lighter under parts and spotted tertials. 

Distribution. — Upper Sonoran and Transition zones of California except : desert 
ranges east of Sierra Nevada, including east slope of Sierra (?) coast region north of 
Mendocino County and region north of upper end of Sacramento valley. {TJie Condor, 
iv. 68.) 

- A typical Dryobates pubescens has been taken by Mr. Rathbun at Seattle. 



204 WOODPECKERS 

smaller ; under parts pure white instead of smoky brown, and under tail 
coverts immaculate instead of spotted or barred with black, and outer tail 
feathers nearly pure white. Wing- 4, tail 2.62, bill .73. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of the Rocky 
Mountain region in British Columbia and the United States, and in south- 
ern California. 

Nest. — 5 to 50 feet from the ground. Eggs : 5 or 6, white. 

In Arizona Dr. Mearns found the Batclielder woodpecker nesting 
in the yellow pine belt, and going up into the spruces on the cone 
of San Francisco Mountain. One of the birds picked out a dry 
aspen, and drummed regularly about his camp. 

394c. D. p. medianus {Swains.). Downy Woodpecker. 

Like D.p. gairdnerii, but wing- coverts conspicuously spotted with white 
and under parts soiled whitish. Wing : 3.72, tail 2.40, bill .60. 

Distribution. — Middle and northern parts of eastern United States, 
north to southern Keewatin. 

The downy woodpecker is a quiet, friendly little bird who prefers 
to hunt wood-borers in orchards rather than in deep forests, and 
who will gladly come to a tree beside the house if a bit of suet is 
hung there for him. He is so absorbed in his good work that he 
goes about his business with little fear of man, and his sharp peek, 
peek, may often be heard even from city trees. 

396. Dryobates scalaris bairdi (MalL). Texan Woodpecker. 

Adult male : Upper parts, including entire outer tail feathers, barred 
black and white, but middle tail feathers plain 
black ; forehead smoky and crown red, crown 

feathers with red preceded by specks of white ; 

p.j„ 271. under parts smoky, lightly spotted with black. 

Adult female : similar, but crown black. Young : 
crown more or less extensively red. Length: 7.00-7.75, wing 3.90-4.25, 
tail 2.45-2.75 exposed culmen .83-.93. 

Remarks. — See remai'ks under Dryobates nuttallii. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone from Texas to Califor- 
nia, and from southern Colorado to Utah, Nevada, and south to northern 
Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually 5 to 14 feet from the ground in pines, oaks, junipers, 
mesquite, hackberry, agaves, yuccas, and other trees; also fence posts and 
telegraph poles. Eggs : usually 4 or 5, white. 

Food. — Wood-boring larvae, weevils, ants, and the ripe fruit of the giant 
cactus. 

The little Texan downy or ' speckle-check,' as it is called, is a 
bird of the lowlands, rarely going above five thousand feet. In 
western Texas it is more generally distributed than any other wood- 
pecker, occurring alike in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones among 
the jumpers, oaks, and pinon pines of the Chisos, Davis, and 
Guadalupe mountains, and among cottonwoods, willows, mesquites, 
and yuccas of the hot valleys. In the mountains it is found with 



WOODPECKERS 205 

the red-shafted flicker and the ant-eating woodpecker, and in south- 
ern Texas with the golden-fronted woodpecker. The thin voice of 
bairdi betrays his presence when he is hidden, but he is often in 
evidence, peeking around a post or tree trunk at you. 

Where there are trees he nests in them, where there are none he 
accommodates himself to circumstances and nests in yuccas, fence 
posts, and telegraph poles. On throwing open a gate the traveler 
is sometimes surprised by the screams of a brood in the gate post. 

396a. D. S. lucasanus {Xantus). Saint Lucas Woodpecker. 

Similar to bairdi, but outer tail feather barred only on terminal half 
or less, except sometimes on inner web, and primary coverts with at least 
one row of small white spots. Length : 7.25-7.75, wing 3.95-4.10, tail 
2.70-2.90, exposed culmen .91-94. 

Distribution. — From about latitude 34° in the Colorado Desert, Califor- 
nia, south through Lower California. 

397. Dryobates nuttallii (Gamb.). Nuttall Woodpecker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts barred with black and white, but forehead 
dingy ; crown black, sometimes streaked with 
white ; back of head with red patch ; hind neck 

white ; shoulders crossed by wide black band ; 

middle tail feathers black, and outer feathers yj„ 271 

with not more than two distinct black bars ; 

under parts almost pure white ; sides spotted with black. Adult female : 

similar, but without red on head. Young : similar, but top of crown red, 

nape black, and under parts more thickly barred with black. Length : 

7, wing 3.90-4.20, tail 2.60-3.05, exposed culmen .77-82. 

Remarks. — The difference in color pattern of head and outer tail feath- 
ers distinguish nuttallii from scalaris bairdi. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper Sonoran (and Transition ?) zone, west 
of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountains, from southern Oregon south 
to northern Lower California. 

Nest. — In dead limbs or old stubs of oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, 
elders, and willows, at no great height from the ground. Eggs : 4 to 6, white. 

Food. — Mainly insects and larvae, including caterpillars, ants, weevils, 
seeds, and probably occasionally berries and fruit. 

The cross-bars on the back and the white feathers on the sides of 
the tail mark this little woodpecker as it clings to a tree trunk or 
flies across to another bole. It has a nuthatch-like way of flying up 
to light on the under side of a limb, and when hanging upside down 
turns itself around with as much ease as a fly on a ceiling. 

At times the small Nuttall waxes excited, and shakes his wings 
as he gives his thin, rattling call. All his notes are thin, and his 
quee-quee-quee-queep' has a sharp quality. His cMt'tali is a dimin- 
utive of the ja'coh of the California woodpecker. He is a sturdy 
little fellow, and in flight will sometimes rise high in air and fly 
long and steadily, dipping only slightly over the brush. He has 
the full strength of his convictions and will drive a big flicker from 



206 WOODPECKERS 

a sycamore and then stretch up on a branch and call out triumph- 
antly. Two Nuttalls trying to decide whether to fight are an 
amusing sight. They shake their feathers and scold and dance 
about as if they were aching to fly at each other, but couldn't 
quite make up their minds to so grave a matter. 

398. Dryobates arizonae (Hargitt). Arizona Woodpecker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts plain brown, except for red nape bordered by 
conspicuous white patches, white spotting- on wing- quills, and white bar- 
ring- on outer tail feathers ; under parts, including under tail coverts heav- 
ily spotted with brown. Adult female : similar, but without red on head. 
Young : like adults of respective sexes, but top of head brown like back, 
and spotted with red. Length : 7.40-8.40, wing 4.40-4.65, tail 2.55-2.95, 
exposed culmen .90-1.05. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper Sonoran zone, from the mountains of 
southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona south to northwestern 
Mexico. 

Nest. — 10 to 20 feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 or 4, white. 

"This rare woodpecker is a common species on the foothills of 
the Chiricahua Mountains, where it was one of the first birds that 
met my eye when the section where it abounds was first entered. . . . 
So far as I could ascertain, at this season at least, it is confined to 
the region of the oaks, ranging from about 4000 to 7000 feet, thus 
inhabiting a region about midway between the low valleys and the 
mountain districts proper. Here they appeared to be perfectly at 
home, climbing over the trunks of the oaks with the same ease and 
rapidity of movement that distinguish the motions of the downy or 
hairy woodpecker ; though their habits, in so far as they are at all 
peculiar, are, perhaps, best comparable to those of the red-cockaded 
woodpecker of the south (Dryobates horealis), especially their custom 
of moving about in small companies of from five to fifteen, though 
they were occasionally found singly or in pairs. 

" When in pursuit of food, they almost always alighted near the 
base of the trees, gradually ascending, and making their way along the 
smaller limbs and even out among the foliage, appearing to prefer 
to secure their food by a careful search than by the hard labor of 
cutting into the wood in the way the hairy woodpecker employs its 
strength. ... I found them at all times rather shy, and gifted with 
very little of that prying curiosity which is seen in some of the 
better known species of this family ; and if by chance I surprised a 
band feeding among the low trees, a sharp warning note, from some 
member more watchful than the rest, communicated alarm to the 
whole assembly, when they took flight immediately, showing great 
dexterity in dodging behind trunks and limbs, and making good 
their retreat by short flights from one tree to another till they were 
out of sight." (Henshaw.) 



WOODPECKERS 207 

GENUS XENOPICUS. 

399. Xenopicus albolarvatus (Cass.). White-headed Wood- 
pecker. 

Outer hind toe long-er than outer front toe ; bill with nasal groove ex- 
tending nearly to tip ; terminal half of bill 
not distinctly compressed ; tong-ue very 
slightly extensile. Adult male: head and 
neck white, whole body black except for white 
patch on loings and red patch on back of head. ^^^' ^^^" 

Adult female : similar, but without red on head. Young male : similar, 
but back and red on crown duller. Length : 8.90-9.40, wing 5.00-5.10, 
tail 4.00-4.05. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of the moun- 
tains from southern British Columbia to southern California, east to the 
Blue Mountains of Oregon, eastern Idaho, and along the eastern slope of 
the Sierra Nevada. 

Nest. — Usually 4 to 15 feet from the ground in stub of pine or fir. 
Eggs: usually o to 7, white. 

Food. — Insects and larvae which are found under the scales of pine bark. 

In the Trausition zone forests of Mount Shasta and the Sierra 
Nevada, one of the most striking birds is the white-headed wood- 
pecker. Impossible as it would seem at first sight, I have found 
that the snow-white head often serves the bird as a disguise. It 
is the disguise of color pattern, for the black body seen against 
a tree trunk becomes one of the black streaks or shadows of the 
bark, and the white head is cut off as a detached white spot with- 
out bird-like suggestions. On the other hand, when the bird is ex- 
ploring the light-barked young Shasta firs or gray, barkless tracts 
of old trees, the white of the head tones in with the gray and is lost, 
the headless back again becoming only a shadow or scar. But the 
most surprising thing of all is to see the sun streaming full on the 
white head and find that tlie bird form is lost. The white in this 
case is so glaring that it fills the eye and carries it over to the light 
streaks on the bark, making the black sink away as insignificant. 
All this applies, however, only when the bird is quiet ; in motion he 
is strikingly conspicuous, and in flight his white wing streak makes 
another good recognition mark. Dr. Merrill noticed some interest- 
ing phases of this disguise at Fort Klamath. There, he says, the 
pines have stubs of branches projecting an inch or two from the 
trunk which, lit by the sun, appear white themselves and cast a 
black shadow. In winter when a little snow has lodged on these 
stubs the resemblance is still greater, often leading one to mistake 
a stub for a bird. 

Xenopicus works with apparent indifference on trunks or branches. 
Like the Nuttall woodpecker he often lights upside down. In hunt- 
ing over the bark he easily backs down the trunk, or if he takes the 



208 



WOODPECKERS 



notion will fly, or perhaps drop backwards, a foot or so. He will 
also light sidewise on a branch and grasp the limb with his tail as if 
afraid of falling off. It is interesting to see him explore cracks in 
the bark. Standing on the edge he pokes his head into the dark 
cavern, turning it from one side to the other inquiringly. Dr, 
Merrill has called attention to the fact that he uses his bill as a crow- 
bar rather than a hammer or chisel as other woodpeckers do, prying 
off the layers of bark so quietly that you rarely hear him at work. 

The call -note of Xenopicus is much like that of a Lryohates, 
though it seems duller and heavier. 

GENUS PICOIDES. 

General Characters. — Foot with 8 toes, 2 pointing- forward and 1 back ; 
bill broad and wide at base, straight, with beveled end, lateral ridges, 
and'nasal tufts hiding the nostrils. 



KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Back wholly black arcticus, p. 208. 

1'. Back marked with white. 

2. Median line of back continuously white . . . dorsalis, p. 209. 
2'. Median line of back not continuously white. 

3. Median line of back black and white, black prevailing. 

americanus, p. 209. 
?>' . Median line of Ijack usually black and white, white prevailing. 

fasciatus, p. 209. 

400. Picoides arcticus (Swains.). 
Arctic Three-toed Wood- 

PECKER.l 

Adult male. — Upper parts glossy blue 
black except for squarish yellow crown 
patch, fine white spotting on wings, and 
plain wliite outer tail feathers ; sides of 
head black and white ; under parts white, 
lieavily barred with black on sides. Adult 
female: similar, but without yellow on 
head. Young male : like adult, but yel- 
low crown patch more restricted, black 
of upper parts duller, under parts tinged 
with brown. Young female: crown black, 
sometimes with trace of yellow. Length : 
9.50-10.00, wing 4.85-5.25, tail 3.60, bill 
1.40-1.60. 

Distribution. — Northern North Amer- 
ica from the arctic regions to the north- 
ern United States (New England, New 
York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, 




Fioia Biolo-ical Survey, U. S.Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 274. 



Montana^ Idaho, California, and Nevada.) 

1 Picoides arcticus tpmiirostrir, Bangs. 
A slender-billed form of P. arcticus. 

Distribtition. — Cascades and Sierra Nevada in California, south to Lake Tahoe. 
Auk, xvii. 131.) 



{The 



WOODPECKERS 209 

Nest. — Usually in dead trees or stumps rarely above 8 feet from the 
ground. Eggs : generally 4, white. 

Food. — Almost wholly wood-boring insects and larvse. 

"The arctic three-toec woodpecker is essentially a bird of the 
pine, spruce, fir, and tamarack forests, and is rarely seen in other 
localities. It is generally a resident, rarely migrating to any distance. 
. . . Like the hairy woodpecker, they are persistent drummers, rat- 
tling away for minutes at a time on some dead limb, and are espe- 
cially active during the mating season in April. I have located more 
than one specimen by traveling in the direction of the sound when 
it was fully half a mile away." (Bendire.) 

401. Pieoides americanus Brehm. American Three-tobd Wood- 
pecker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts mainly black, with whitish nuchal hand and 
light spotting or barring on head and hack ; wing quills lightly barred with 
white, outer tail feathers mainly plain white ; crown with yellow patch, 
back of head glossed with blue ; under parts white, sides and flanks barred 
with black. Adult female: similar, but without yellow on crown. Length: 
9, wing 4.40-4.60, tail 3.10-3.75, bill 1.10-1.2.5. 

Distribution. — Northern North America east of the Rocky Mountains ; 
south to the northern border of the United States. 

Nest. — In holes in coniferous trees, 4 to 12 feet from the ground. Eggs : 
usually 4, white. 

Food. — Principally wood-boring insects and their larvae. 

The habits of the American are similar to those of the arctic 
three-toed woodpecker, though it is considered by Mr. Williams of 
Montana a much more silent bird, its calls resembling those of 
Dryobates rather than Pieoides. 

401a. P. a. faseiatus Baird. Alaskan Three-toed WoodpeckeRo 
Similar to P. a. dorsalis, but back usually distinctly barred with black 
(rarely continuously white along middle line), secondaries more distinctly 
spotted with white (sometimes wing-coverts also spotted, more or less 
numerously with white), white spots on quills larger, and female some- 
times with white prevailing on top of head. Length : 9.50, wing 4.50-4.70, 
tail 3.10-3.75, bill 1.10-1.25. 

Distribution. — Alaska, south to northern Washington. 

401b. P. a. dorsalis Baird. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker. 

Adult male. — Similar to americanus, but middle of hack continuously 
white, mostly streaked ; side of head with two 
conspicuous white stripes. Adult female : 
similar, but browner, and under parts dingy 
white ; head without yellow patch, blue black, "'^T^^tT 

lightly flecked with white. Young : like fe- 
male, but with more or less yellow streaking on crown. Length: 9.50, 
wing 4.65-5.00, tail 3.20-3.65, bill 1.1.5-1.30. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone from Arizona and New Mexico 



210 



WOODPECKERS 



north through the Rocky Mountains region of the United States and 
Canada to Fort Liard. 

Nest. — Described by Dr. Mearns, in a pine 30 feet from the ground, 
containing 5 white eggs. 

Food. — Largely wood-boring larvae. 

The Alpine three-toed resembles the American, being found like it 
largely in the fire-blackened timber. 

GENUS SPHYRAPICUS. 

General Characters. — Bill not so stout and chisel-like as in Dryobates 
and Picoides, wedge-shaped, pointed, nasal groove extending only about 
half way to tip of bill ; tongue scarcely extensile, the tip brushy ; tail 
feathers long, pointed ; feet with inner toe extremely short. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Head, neck, and chest red. 

2. Belly yellow ruber, p. 211. 

2'. Belly olive yellow. Northwest coast . . . notkensis, p. 212. 
1'. Head, neck, and chest with black, white, and red. 

2. Upper parts glossy black thyroideus, p. 212. 

2'. Upper parts black, spotted with white. 

3, Nape brownish white .......... varius, p. 210. 

3'o Nape more or less tinged with red nuchalis,p. 211. 

402 Sphyrapieus varius {Linn.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 
Adult male. — Similar to the red-naped sapsucker (402a), but nape 

brownish white, and black malar 

, 'i'ini)) ) I ^ y stripes separating red of throat 

V ''!< ,g)^' I ' \^kC-^ from white cheek stripes. Adult 

. ' ' female : throat entirely white, and 

! ^\\ ^ crowji sometimes without red. 

\ '^M^'^'teV'^^^^i^^ -^^-w ' " Young: head, neck, and chest 

\ 'I'^^^pC^'^ e*^*^^ v\i»7 ''''-'; "^ mottled brown, the color pattern 

nuitV'/rr^f^^#/r 'r^: of adults only faintly indicated. 

V \V'"^^'tt»^^^^JK "■' Length: 7.75-8.75, wing (male) 

^\ i\'i^ \ t, \\M jVf*'^^^ , 4. 80-5.00, taU 2.90-3.20, bill 1.00- 

J^^\ * ^ ' '^ Vtll^ltl iw ^' Distribution. — Breeds in east- 

>^^^ i \ M M' \ ^ "■ nj\ ''^^^ ^ ^^" North America, from north 

i^l^Ki \r'^^' "'l^^^SmS^'^^-' ■"'^ ^^ ^OTt Simpson to Massachu- 

''^^8 \^' ' ^ ^ ^^S^^^&^' setts; south in winter to West 

^/|^^\\ ' ^ \\ ^^jM^^^~^ 'X~'^ Indies, Mexico, and Costa Rica. 

-»^^^^Mi, 'ii *ilE^^B,'|^Si I Nest. — In dead or decaying 

^^» 1 ' ' niJHI^^^F,--- • * trees, 15 to 60 feet from the 

y^fi 'T^W^^^'' -- ground. Eggs: 4 to 7, white. 

1 I ISliWv^'^^""*'"'"^ Food. — Large numbers of ants 

' ' % and flies, also bugs, wasps, crick- 

From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept.^of Agriculture, ets, and other insects, wild fruits, 

Fig. 276. seeds, nuts, inner bark, and sap. 

The eastern sapsucker has been found west of the hundredth 
meridian in Texas. Like the other sapsuckers it leaves a blazed 
trail behind it, — a girdle of squarish holes on its food trees. If 



WOODPECKERS 211 

the trees are delicate birches they will probably be killed in time, 
but the forest trees are too hardy to be affected by the loss of sap, 
and as the sweet syrup attracts a host of insects, the sapsucker does 
a good piece of work in destroying them. He ranks next to the 
flicker as an ant-eater, one third of his solid food consisting of ants. 
While watching his fly-trap he clings to the trunk as motionless as 
if glued there. 

402a. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis Baird. Red-naped Sap- 
sucker. 

Adult male. — Upper parts black, thickly marked with white ; wing- 
coverts plain black, with wide white outer 
stripe ; head with red crown and red nuchal 
patch separated by a plain black area : sides of 
head with white stripes ; chest black between red 
throat and pale yellow belly. Adult female •' ^^' 

similar, but duller, and black chest patch mostly mottled gray. Young : 
duller, red of head and throat wholly wanting' or only sug"g"ested by pale 
claret-colored tinge. Length: 8.00-8.75, wing- (male) 4.92-5.10, tail 3.10- 
3.40, bill .95-1.02. 

Remarks. — In the field the black chest patch easily disting-uishes the 
adult male nuchalis from ruber (403). 

Distribution. — Transition and Canadian zones in the Rocky Mountain 
region, from British Columbia to northwestern Mexico, and cape region 
of Lower California, and from Colorado and Montana west to the eastern 
slope of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada ; casual to western Kansas and 
coast mountain region of California. 

Nest. — Generally in aspens, 5 to 30 feet from the ground. Eggs : 
usually 4 or 5, white. 

Food. — Principally small beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, ants, and larvae 
under the loose bark of trees ; also wild berries, and in fruit growing sec- 
tions the sap of peach and apple trees, and willows. 

The members of the genus Sphyrapicus form a marked group. 
They are sapsuckers, girdling the trees with small holes, from which 
they get a perennial supply of sap with a host of attracted insects to 
vary the diet. Their tongues are only slightly extensile, and have 
brushy tips in sharp contrast to the long barbed tongues of the 
Dryobates group, which spear their food from the depths of the 
wood. 

In the nesting season, at least, the sapsuckers are extremely noisy, 
active birds, striding up the tree trunks, calling loudly in tantalizing 
tones, and chasing each other about in fine spirited fashion. 

The red-naped breeds along the borders of streams in the moun- 
tains of the interior. 

403. Sphyrapicus ruber (GmeL). Red-breasted Sapsucker. 

Adults. — Whole head, neck, and chest ^|^^f^ ..^^. 



plain red, or black and white markings of 
nuchalis only suggested ; back, wings, and 
tail black, heavily marked with white ; belly Fig. 278, 



212 WOODPECKERS 

dusky or yellowish. Young : duller, and color pattern less distinct, the red 
replaced by claret brown. Length : 8.50-9.25, wing (male) 4.70-5.05, tail 
3.10-8.50, bill 1.00-1.08. 

Remarks. — The young- of ruber is similar to the same stage of nuckalis, 
but can be distinguished usually by the dull reddish suffusion over its 
head, neck, and chest ; while the adult may be recognized in the field by 
the absence of black chest patch and white stripes on the sides of the 
head. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zone forests of the 
Pacific coast region from southern Oregon to northern Lower California ; 
east to the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and eastern slope of the 
Cascades. 

Nest. — In aspens, 15 to 25 feet from the ground. Eggs : 5 or (), white. 

Food. — Beetles, spiders, ants, grasshoppers, centipeds, and larvae, wild 
berries, sap, and inner bark. 

In the Sierra Nevada the red-breasted sapsiicker is one of the 
common woodpeckers. When riding through the forests there we 
often got a flash of color from its red liead and neck as it flew before 
our horses. On a fir slope above Donner one July day we discovered 
chips at the foot of an old stub heavily covered with yellow lichen, 
and rapping on it sent the mother flying and roused a clamorous 
family of young. 

The last week in July at Donner Lake we found a family of dull 
colored young going abeut with their mother, a handsome old bird 
with dark red head and breast. They flew around in a poplar grove 
for a while, and then gathered in a clump of willows, where four 
young clung to the branches and devoted themselves to eating sap. 
The old bird flew about among them and seemingly cut and scraped 
ofi" the bark for them, at the same time apparently trying to teach 
them to eat the sap for themselves; for though she woidd feed them 
at other times she refused to feed them there, and apparently watched 
carefully to see if they knew enough to drink the sap. When the 
meal was finally over and the birds had flown, we examined the 
branch and found that lengthwise strips of bark had been cut off, 
leaving narrow strips like fiddle-strings between. At the freshly cut 
places the sap exuded as sweet as sugar, ready for the birds to suck. 

In winter the red-breasted visits the cities, being seen, Mr. Grin- 
nell says, in pepper-trees even on noisy city streets. He has found 
it in Pasadena from October till the last of March. 

403a. S. r. notkensis (Suckow). Northern Red-bbeastbd Sap- 
sucker. 

Similar to S. ruber, but darker, and belly olive yellow. 

Distribtitlon. — Northwest coast region of North America, from Sitka 
south in California through the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

404. Sphyrapicus thyroideus {Cass.). Williamson Sapsucker. 
Adult male. — Upper parts glossy black except white rump, large white 



WOODPECKERS 213 

patr/i on wing coverts, :uk1 fine while spots on <iiulls ; sides of head witli 
two white stripes ; throat and hreast hlaek, .^^^iT"- ii£!!^ 

witli a median strijje of hrii;ht red ; helly .^^^g|^^^*^jK^^^^ 
bri<;-ht veHow. Adult female: iMit.iro body ^^^^sI^HBhIH^BI^^ 
harnnl with l)rown or hlaek and white, exeept ^ig. -JT-.t. Williamson Sapsuokcr. 
tor brown head and w hitc rniup and, randy, a 

red median strijje on throat ; ehest nsually with a bhiek pateh ; middle of 
belly yellow, >'(»»»// ma/f ; similar to adnlt male, but hlaek duller, belly 
pah>r. throat stripe white. Youmj fcnutlt : similar to adult female, but 
nuirkini;s and colors duller, bellv whitish, and clu>st without black patch. 
Lini/t/i': O.OO-'J.T.'), wing- r).2r)-:).r)0, tail ;;.S0-;;.1H), bill l.(H)-1.2(). 

Distrilmlion. — l>n>eds in Transition and Canadian /ones in the western 
Unit.ed iStates from the t>astern slopes of the Ivocky JNIountains to the west- 
ern .spurs of the iSierra Nevada, (Cascades, and northern coast ranges ; south 
to New Mexico and Arizona ; winters in southern California, New Mexico, 
western Texas, and Sierra Madre to .lalisco, Mexico. 

Nest. — In pines and aspens, 5 to (50 feet from the j^round. J^ygs : 3 to 
7, white. 

Food. — Mainly insects and their larvai. 

The Willijinison sapsuckor is ()m> of the handsomost birds one sees 
in (he forest, but. ordinarily it lli(>s from tree to tree before you and its 
black back and -while rump and wing patches are all that are sccmi. 
Afler several weeks of such fleeting glimpses in the Sierra Nevada, 
we w(>re delighted by the discovery of a pair at home on their own 
bre(>ding grounds. The place, Lincobi Valley above Sierra Valley, 
was close to the crest of the range, at an elevation of seven thousand 
feet. The nest was in a stub in a group of huge iMurray pines on 
the edge of one of the most beautiful of the Sierra mountain meadows 
— a forest-encircled meadow brilliant with golden buttercups. It 
seemed a right royal home for such noble birds. ^Vllile I watched 
the nest the male with his glossy coat, yellow belly, and red throat 
came Hying in, his bill bristling with insects; but feeling himself 
observed, promptly sidled out of sight und(>r Ww branches. 

GENUS CEOPIILCEUS. 

405a. CeophloDus pileatus abieticola Bangs. Noktukun 

Pll.K.\TKl> WoOnrK.CKKK : COCK-OF-TUK-WOODS. 

Head conspicuously crested ; bill longer than head, straight, w ith wedge- 
like tip, beveled sides, and strong ridges, broader than high at base; nos- 
trils concealed by large nasal tiif ts ; feet pecnli;u\ outer hind toe shorter 
than outer front t<H> ; tarsus shorter than iun»u- front toe and claw. 

Adult male. — Hrownish ov grayish black ; entire (op of head, occipital 
crest, and nial.ar strlpi* bright n>d ; chin and wide stripe on side of head 
white, or sulphur yellow ; pati'hes on wings and under wing coverts white ; 
feathei's of belly llpptMl with whitish. Adult female : similar, but fore- 
part of head and malar stripe brown instead of red. Young : similar to 
feni:ile, but crest salmon. Male: wing 0. tail (>.ol, exposed cidmen 2.05. 

Distribution. — Heavily wooded regions of Nortli America from the 
southern .Vlleghauies northwiU'd to about latitude Co"^ and westward to 
Paoilic coast. 



>14 



WOODPKCMkKHS 




Fig. 'ivMi. Nmtiu 



.1 s l>. 



St St. — In ;uspcns niid i'onif«M\»iis 
(itH's. •!(> to M) foot, from llu> j;nMiml. 
/'.'(/(An" ; usually .'> lo »'), wliilo. 

h\>0(L — Wooii-boriiiii' bt<ol.los ami 
larv.'V wltioh inl't>sl. limboivd tr.'uMs ; 
;ilso nuls, wiM mMpos. borrios, bl:u*k 
i;inu. (loi^'wootl, jioUowimmJ. ami stM'vii'O 
hiM'ri<>s. aiorius, booolvmils, ami I'liost- 
nu<s. 

Thr pih\MttHl \V(unlp(rk(>r is not a 
common bin! in (ln' wosliTU t\n*os(.s, 
but is foinul in Ihc C'asi'juios ami 
Siorra N(>va(la. suul when wo woro 
(ampins (Ml Mount Shasta wo would 
somtMimcs hoar his slow (U^liborato 
hanimoriuii,' and his ' bui;lo call ' at 
sunrisiv 'rhou,i;h ot'li'n hoard ho was seldom socn. bnl we wore oooa 
sion.'illy rorliinat(> tM\(>ui;h to oatoh a i^limpso o\' hin\ wilh his oon 
spiouous red iMVst wini;ini;' his way with i>ow<>rrid boundim:^ lliiiht 
through Iho foi-ost. juul ov(>r tho woodland m(>a(lows. 

St.id)s. torn and (>xoav!U(>d by his 'biuin^s' woro t'ounii (luiliM'oni 
monly in Iho 'l^-ansilion boll. In many o[' Iho oxoa vat ions 1 nt>- 
tiooil thai Avhilo tlu* main out miuht oovor a st>otion six indues lon,ij; 
and thrtHMvido. a( llu> bottom o\' iho Wxix oxoavation would bo a sntall 
round liolo that your thumb could till, looking;- as it' the worm woro 
linally found tluMo. One of our parly who was t'ortiniat(> onou_s;h to 
s(>c th(> piloa.t(>d at. work described tin' proci>ss in diMail. 'IM»o bird 
bei;a,n by Ilyin_i;- hastily from tree lo tree, from tr(>c lo slump, and 
slump to uroinid. linally .i^oini;' to woik on a loi; on the uround. 
Ari(>r sonu> ]>r(>lin\inary poi'kiuii- ho bt\nan chisolini;- n(>ar a. branoh. 
A steady poimdine; I'oUowtul and Iho chips lU>w. 'Vho arc throuij:h 
w hich his lu^ad was swuni*' was so widi^ it soomod as if his nook must 
break, but the bill oan\(> down slraii>ht. with lh(> blow of n slodi^'o- 
hanimor. W'Wv piumdin^- aAvhilo tho bird stoppoii and jiooki^d at 
the bark till a. biii' slab slid olT. su.Hi>(>stinu' that lu^ had bo("n di.!i,s;inii: 
d(>0]> holes, and then had worried olT the sm-roundiui!; bark. After 
this followivl a loni;' period of (luiel when his lu^ad niovod around 
busily w itiiout noise, as if he were probin;;- the holes w ilh his t(>np,'UO 
and (>njt>y in<;' his im^al. 

In tho Yos(>nut(^ National Park whore shoot ini; is I'orbiddiMi tho 
pil(>a.tod. instead of boiniv one of lh(> shyest of birds, is on(> of thoso 
most in I'videnoo. and as you drivi^ by actually inaki^s itst'll" oon- 
spiouoiis by tlyin,i>' ftlnMy anioni!; Ih(> troos so near that you can hoc 
his brilliant r(>d h(>ad .and the white spots on liis win_ii;s, while ho 
utters his loud rin^in^- cliiick,cliiich\ chuck, c/nick, chuck, chuck^^ohuck. 



W()()l)PK(!Ki;ilS 216' 

The iicstH ol" llic cocli of liu^ woods show llicii- povvci- more Ihati 
their borings, for Uicy uvv ciil, inio iJui solid trunks of live; Uvvh. 
Thou^li well up out. of rciuh Ihey are uukU; conspicuous by hall' a 
buslud oi' fresh chips S('al.t.erc(l over the ground around the tn^;. 
'IMie (^avity ^'oes back for about six inches and then (U)vvn a. foot and 
a half, and thd hiri''{i whit(5 OiA\i;s rest on a, soil l)ed of (dean fresli 
chi|)s. 'V\w Haine tree is ol'ten used year after year, but never the 
sani(! hole. A fresh one is (!X(Uivai(!(l eaeh year and the ohl ones left 
for occupation by sjiw whet owls, wood ducks, and llyini;- scpiirrcls. 

ailJNUS MliiLANJiJill'liJS. 

(iiiKTo/ (Vi<ir<ufrrs. — Hill about lis loiij;' as luuid, (listiiurtly (Mirv«Hl ; 
iipptM- niiui<bl)le with :iu (U'idout tlioii^'ii slioft latoral rid^o and nasal 
[;r(M>ve, (i|) of liiil nudti or IcHS wodf'c^-HhaptHl ; outor hind t.ou not loii^or 
than oiitn- fioiil, toi^. 

liK.V TO ADlUi-r MAMOS. 

I. Baid^ h.'irnMl with l)!:u^k :ind whito. 

2. K»)n»lu'a(l yolh'w aui'ifroiis, p. 2 IS. 

2'. Ft)n^h.<a(l ii<»t yrllow. 

.'{. Middio of lH^lly y»dh>wish Ill opygialis, 21'.). 

;r. Middir of ln>lly i«>ddisli CaiolillUS, p. 2 IS. 

r. liacdv not hnri-tMl. 

2. ivolly roso <()U)r toiqiiatxis, p. 217. 

2'. {{('Ily wl.il(>. 

'.). Head !ind neck hmI erythioceplialiis, p. 215. 

;>'. Head with hlark. n<d, ;uid whilr or ytdlow. 

•1. Chest hand strt^akod with whilo . . foi lllicivoi us, p. 2l(». 
4. (/luvst hand solid black bail di, p. 217. 

SubRonus Molanorpos. 
(\)l(>rs in lart;o masses ; onttM' hind too and ouior front too of lupial lonn'ths. 

406. Miilunorpos orytlirocephalus (Linn.). JiKD-nKAUKD 

W'oonn'.CKiia;. i 

A<l„/t ,nah: — \Vl.ol.> lio.ul and [, ; , 

niM'k d(<op ciini.son ; nndor parts, rnnip, MH^^'^ '^^ 

and patoli on win<;s, whiter; rest of ^^■I'l'kl' {M 

npptM- p.'irts, ^-loHsy l)bu< black. Adult ^iWl'Mil I'f' ™ '* " 

fiinalt : similar, biU. with mortM)r k^ss ^^iV^SgiJ^^^k 7^111'] y\ 

t.ransvt<rst> black spotiin;;' on inner soc- J^Q^^^B 'jB ii ? IWp''- ■'■' 

«>nd:iri(>s, Jind blaok collar nioro oon- ^^t|^|HR'!B|ff I IjI'1;'A> j^iSr 

spi«'nons than in nialo. Youmj: rod /''^^tSV^^h JPil 'i 

and blaok of adnlts ropl;uH>d by f^niy, ■/jf^'Vi.'^'^lm^''-^^ ' '\ W>M^^^ 

st.r(>a.k(Ml with «larkor on head and (j'h ' ^^^(tKiM-^ '^4^^^^^ 

n(>ok, barnMl on rt^st of nppor parts; " '^t; V '^r^^i'MiBBI, "''llw/T^"'* 

sooondari(>s orossi^d near ends by ono ' 1^ ll^JffHI IfflH^ t 

or moro blaok bands. Li-mjth : \^.-*i- l''^'f'V^J!%i 1^1^ J' '■ ■ '• 

Ihstiihudoii. — l>rot>dinj;- in 'I'r.'insi- ^ ,> ■ 

tion, I'nporand LowtM- Soiu)ran 7.«»nos ,, ,,. , . , o no i'. .,» ^i 

Irom INbinitoba .sontb (t» tlio (bill ol AK'iu-ntiinc. 

Moxioo, and from (ho Atlantic to tho Fij?. 'JSl. 



216 WOODPECKERS 

eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains ; casual in Utah and southern Ari- 
zona. 

Nest. — 8 to 80 feet from the ground in stumps, dead trunks or branches, 
and on treeless prairies in fence posts and telegraph poles. Eggs: usually 
.4 to 7, white. 

Food. — In summer, insects such as grasshoppers, ants, beetles, flies, 
and larvae, fruits and berries ; in fall and winter, nuts, wild berries, and 
small grains. 

The red-headed woodpecker is one of our handsomest birds. Its 
colors are all keen — the red, glowing red ; the white, snow white ; 
and the black, glossy black. 

In its methods of hunting, like all the members of the genus 
Melanerpes, it combines the ways of the flycatchers and the wood- 
peckers that get their food almost wholly from tree trunks and 
branches. 

In the east, where it depends largely on beechnuts for its fall and 
winter supplies, its movements are very erratic, its appearance de- 
pending on the crop. 

407. Melanerpes formieivorus (Swains.). Ant-eating Wood- 
pecker. 
Adult male. — Feathers around base of bill and chin black, bordered by 

band of white or yellow ; crown red ; 
sides of head, upper parts, and chest 
band glossy greenish ; blue black chest 
streaked with white ; rump, wing patch, 
and belly, white. Adult female : similar, 
but with a black band separating white 
or yellow forehead from red crown. 
Young : similar to adults and with same 
sexual differences in crown, but colors 
duller. Wing: 5.30-5.90, tail 3.10-3.60, 
bill 1.10-1.22. ' 

Remarks. — The squarish white patch 
on the forehead is enough to distinguish 
the formieivorus group from all other 
woodpeckers, 
pj 282 Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Tran- 

sition zone from Texas to Arizona, and 
south to Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually in white oaks, but also in pines. Eggs : 4 or 5, white. 
Food. — Principally acorns, but also fruit, flies, ants, beetles, and 
grasshoppers. 

One of the most pleasantly familiar sounds in the live-oak belt in- 
habited by formiciwrus and its allies is the ja-cob, ja-cob, ja-coh, 
ja-cob uttered by these handsome woodpeckers as they fly from tree 
to tree, their white rump and wing patches showing as they go. In 
coming down from the fir forests of the mountains where the only 
visible woodpeckers have fled silently before you, the soft cheery 
voices of these birds have a friendly ring grateful to the ear. They 




WOODPECKERS 217 

always have a great deal to say, whether it be in a canyon of the 
Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico, where their chatter interrupts 
the solemn hooting of the band-tailed pigeon, or on the campus of a 
California university, where much is to be learned by silent listeners. 
But their small talk never seems to interfere with their work, and 
the acorn-filled tree trunks and telegraph poles attest their industry. 
Of all our woodpeckers they are the prime storers, and though they 
do not live in a land of snow, ground squirrels infest most of their 
territory and make it important to have secure cupboards. Dr. 
Mearns says their stores are the source of unending quarrels between 
them and their numerous pilfering enemies, and confesses that when 
short of provisions in the mountains he himself has filled his saddle- 
bags with acorns from under the bark of a pine. The birds are true to 
their Melanerpes instincts, although they do spend so much of their 
time storing acorns, and vault into the air after insects in regulation 
flycatcher style. 

407a. M. f. bairdi Ridgw. Californian Woodpecker. 

Like M. formicivorus, but with heavier bill and chest band solid black. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran zone of the Pacific coast region 
from Oregon south to northern Lower California. 

Nest. — 15 to 25 feet from the ground in oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, 
willows, and telegraph poles. Eggs : usually 4 or 5, white. 

Food. — Acorns during the greater part of the year ; also grasshoppers, 
caterpillars, ants, beetles, flies, small fruits, berries, and green corn. 

Subgenus Asyndesmus. 

Bill combining characters of Colaptes and Melanerpes : wings long, fold- 
ing nearly to end of tail ; feathers of under parts and nuchal collar bristly. 

408. Melanerpes torquatus (Wils.). Lewis Woodpecker. 

Adults. — Upper parts iridescent greenish black except for gray collar ; 
face dull crimson ; throat and chest 
gray changing to soft rose on belly ; 
plumage of lower parts harsh and hair- 
like. Young : head without red, neck 
without collar, under parts with less ^^* 

red. Length: 10.50-11.50, wing 6.50-6.80, tail 4.40-4.70. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
Black Hills and eastern slope of Rocky Mountains to Pacific slope ; from 
southern parts of British Columbia and Alberta to Arizona; winters in 
southern California and western Texas ; casual in western Kansas. 

Nest. — 6 to 100 feet from the ground, usually high up in tall pines or 
cottonwoods, or in decayed branches or stumps of oaks, sycamores, junipers, 
and willows. Eggs : usually 6 or 7, white. 

Food. — In summer mainly insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, ants, 
beetles, flies, larvae, acorns, pine seeds, wild berries, and in cultivated 
districts fruit. 

"When you reach the mountains on the west-bound Overland, from 
the car windows you recognize with delight the crow-like figure of 




218 WOODPECKERS 

your old friend flyinii; with sweeping, powerful strokes straight over 
the forest. You are in no danger of mistaking him, for his wide 
wings and short tail distinguish him from all other birds as ftu* as he 
ean be seen. 

He is found high in the mountains mainly after the breeding sea- 
sou, for lie nests in the Transition zone orchard and yellow pine 
country, but like the redhead is an erratic wanderer. At Fort 
Klamath flocks of two li\indred have been reported coming from 
the north in August, and from Klamath Falls to Susan ville Mr. 
Bailey found them the commonest woodpeckers, perching on the tall 
stakes of rail fences along the roads, flying up into the air after 
grasshoppers or otlier insects in true Mdanerpcs style. As it is said, 
the ' acorn bird ' never comes in great ninnbers ludess there is a good 
crop of mast, for his movements depentl on the food supply. In the 
Black Hills Mr. C'ary says the woodpecker is partial to bin-nt timber 
in canyons. 

Subgenus Centurus. 

Upper parts barred ; wings M'itli white patch ; outer hind, toe shorter 
than outer front toe. 

409. Melanerpes carolinus {Li mi.). RKD-nF.nLiKn Woodpkckkk. 

Ailult male. — Top and back of head and neck bright red ; rest of upper 

parta barred black and white ; 
under parts gray except for red- 
dish irash on 7niddle of belli/. Adult 
female : similar, but red of head 
iiiteri'upted by gray crown patch. 
YoiDHi : dullei", markings ob- 
scured, red of head indistinct, that 
of belly often replaced by dull 
butfy. Lenqlh: 9.00-10. lO" whig- 
4.85-5.50, tail ;5.5tK^.95, bill 1.00- 
\.2{\ 

Distj-ibution. — Breeds in Lower 
and Upper Sonoran zones of east- 
Fig. 284. ^.y^^ ITnited States, from Ontario 
to Florida, and west to the base of Ihe Rocky Mountains. 

Nest. — In tree ti'unks or branches, 15 to (50 feet from the ground. 
JEggs : 8 to 5, white. 

Food. — Beetles, ants, weevils, caterpillars, grasshoppers. Hies, larvie, 
Avasps, and other insects, with acorns, mlts, seeds, grain, and berries. 

In parts of Texas the red -bellied is the most common woodpecker, 
and often nests in telegraph poles, but over most of its range it is 
shy and retiring, living preferably in heavily 'timbered bottom lands 
and swampy woods. 

410. Melanerpes aurifrons {WagL). Goldkn-fkontkd Wood- 

pkckkk. 

Adult males. — Forehead yellow, crown red, and nuchal patch yellow, 




WOODPECKERS 



219 





Fip. 285. Golden-l'routed Woodpecker. 
ouiul, j;euerally in inesquites, pecans, 



orange, or red; back linely 
barred with bbick and white ; 
runij) plain wliitc, tail black, 
onter foathcrs barred with 
white ; under parts lij;ht gray, 
washed with yellowish on belly. 
Adult female : similar, but with- 
out red crown, and yellow ot" 
plumage paler. Youmj : colors 
duller, markings less distinct. 
Winq: r).i!0-r).(5;"), tail ;).40- 

;;.7r),'biii 1.20-1.40. 

Distribution. — Central and 
southern Texas, south to the 
city of Mexico. 

Nest. — (5 to lii") feet from the 
oaks, or telegraph poles. Ji'(/ys : 4 to 7, white 

Food. — Insects of various kinds, such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers, 
and larvje — anu)ng' them one injurious to corn ; iUso acorns, Indian corn, 
wild berries, and fruit. 

lu San Antonio the golden-fronted woodpecker nests in telegraph 
poles and bird boxes about houses as well as in pecans, oaks, and 
niesquitcs. In Eastland County, Texas, Mr. Hasbrouck says it is 
often seen in tlu; same tree with the red-bellied. On the mesquite 
prairie of southern Texas the little Texan woodpecker is the only 
one occurrini;- at all commonly with aurifrons and there is no dan- 
ger of confusing them. 

Aurifrons makes noise enough for a dozen, his loud penetrating 
voice ringing across the road as you drive through the mesquites. 
One of his conunon etdls is a rattle like that of the CaliCornia wood- 
pecker. When he flies he shows his white rump and wing spots, and 
on the rare occasions when you catch a glimpse of him you can see 
the vellow of his neck above the black and white barriniiof liis back. 



411. Melanerpes uropygialis {Baird). Gila Woodpecker. 



Adult mah 



IT(>:id and under p.irts 




Fig. liSG. 



grayish brown, crown red ; middle 
of belly yellowish ; back and rump 
finely barred with black and 
white ; middle and outer tail feath- 
ers marked 7vith white. Adult 
female : similar, but without red. 
Young : similar, but colors duller, 
and markings less distinct. 1 Ving : 
5.00-5.30, t!:iil 8.50-3.90, bill .95- 
1.25. 

Remarks. — This species may 
be distinguished from aurifrons 
by its brownish tinge, the absence 
of yellow on its head, barred 
rump, white markings on middle 
tail feathers, and absence of 
marks on those next the middle. 



220 



WOODPECKERS 



Distribution. — Colorado River in southeastern California, southern Ari- 
zona, and southwestern New Mexico ; south through Lower California to 
Jalisco and western Mexico. 

Nest. — Mainly in giant cactus, hut also in cottonwoods, sycamores, and 
raesquites. Eggs : 3 to 5, white. 

Food. — Lizards, insects such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and larvae, 
with giant cactus fruit and mistletoe berries. 

Major Bendire says that the general habits of the Gila woodpecker 
are similar to those of the California woodpecker. Its ordinary call- 
note he gives as dchilrr dchilrr, and a flight note as Jiuit Unit., which 
he says resembles the call-note of the phainopepla. In Arizona In 
October, Mr. Bailey found two of the birds roosting in a tank every 
night. 

GENUS COLAPTES. 

General Characters. — Bill acute, curved ; slender and weak for a wood- 
pecker ; without lateral ridges or beveling ; nostrils not Concealed by 
nasal tufts ; outer hind toe shorter than outer front toe ; wings and tail 
lengthened. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 



Under sides of wings and tail red. 
2. Darker. Sitka to northern California . . . saturatior, 

2'. Lighter. Western United States CoUaris, 

. Under side of wings and tail yellow. 

2. Back of neck with red band. Eastern North America. 

luteus, 
2'. Back of neck without red band. Arizona and southward. 

chrysoides, 



221. 
221. 



220. 



222. 



412a. Colaptes auratus luteus San^s. Northern Flicker. 
Adult male. — Up])er parts brown, barred with black, except for red 

nuchal band,, white rump, and black 
tail ; wings and tail with shafts and 
under side of feathers bright yellow ; 
throat and sides of head pinkish 
brown, with black malar stripe or 
' mustache ' and black crescent on 
chest ; rest of under parts brownish 
white, washed with yellow and spotted 
with black. Adult female : similar, 
but without black mustache, though 
sometimes with faint indications of 
one. Young male: similar to adult 
male, but crown marked with dull 
red, nuchal band dull scarlet. Young 
female : with dark mustache. Male : 
wing 6.18, tail 4.09, exposed culmen 
1.33. Female: wing 6.06, tail 4, ex- 
posed culmen 1.25. 
Distribution. — Eastern and northern North America, south to North 

Carolina and west to the Rocky Mountains; occasional on the Pacific 

slope from California northward. 




From Biolo^eal Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 287. 



WOODPECKERS 221 

Nest. — Usually 10 to 20 feet from the ground in stubs or trees. Eggs : 
usually 5 to 9, white. 

Food. — Largely ants; also beetles, bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, and 
caterpillars, weed seeds and berries. 

The flickers of whatever local name or race are striking, forceful 
birds. Their clear ringing clape and piute command attention, while 
their rapidly uttered if-if-if-if-if-if-if is no less stirring. As they fly 
in undulating line over a field there is a splendid flash of red or 
golden from under their wings. At work or play they show the 
same vigor and whole-souled absorption, and their courtship is 
accordingly both ardent and amusing. 

As a genus the flickers are the least woodpecker-like of the fam- 
ily. Instead of getting their food from the tree trunks or in the air, 
they live largely on ants which they get from the ground, which 
accounts for the brown of their backs, the slenderness of their bills, 
and the character of their tongues. As they probe ant-hills to get 
the ants their tongues are very long and provided with large sali- 
vary glands whose sticky secretions hold the ants. As they do not 
spear their food the tongue is freer from barbs than that of most 

other woodpeckers. ,/ ^ 

i^ar^on /V.r. 

413. Colaptes caf er collaris {Vigors). Red-shafted Flicker. 

Adult male. — Ground color of head and body brownish, back barred 
and under parts spotted with black ; rump white and tail black ; no nu- 
chal band ; mustache red ; chest marked with black crescent ; under side of 
wings and tail red. Female : Similar, but usually with a buffy or brown 
malar stripe. Young : similar, but without mustache. Length : 12.75- 
14.00, wing 6.45-7.15, tail 4.40-5.20, exposed culmen 1.34-1.53. 

Remarks. — Birds with varying combinations of the characters of C. col- 
laris and C. luteus may be met with anywhere from the eastern border of 
the plains to the Pacific. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia south to 
northern border of Mexico ; west to the coast ranges in Oregon and 
Washington, and to the Pacific coast from northern California southward 
to Lower California. 

Nest. — From 2 to 70 feet from the ground in rotten stubs or trees, 
also in holes in banks, in sides of houses, and gate posts. Eggs : 5 to 10, 
white. 

Food. — Insects and larvae, especially ants, grasshoppers, and crickets, 
acorns, seeds, and wild berries. 

413a. Colaptes cafer saturatior {Ridgw.). Northwestern 
Flicker. 

Similar to collaris, but darker. Wing : 6.35-7.00, tail 4.70-5.20, ex- 
posed culmen 1.35-1.60. 

Distribution. — Breeds in humid Transition and Canadian zones of the 
northwest coast from Sitka to northern California. 

Nest, eggs, and food same as in collaris. 



222 GOATSUCKEKS 

414. Colaptes chrysoides (Malh.). Gilded Flicker. 

In general similar to collaris, but back of neck without red, and under 
side of wings and tail yellow ; adult female with only occasional traces of 
malar stripe, and young without malar stripe. 

Remarks. — The combination of red mustache and yellow of under 
wings and tail distinguish this species. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from Arizona south to 
southern Sonora, and Lower California south of latitude 30°. 

Nest. — 6 to 40 feet from the ground "in giant cactus or cottonwoods. 
Eggs : 2 to .5, white. 

Food. — To a large extent fruit of the giant cactus and insects found on 
its flowers. 

The gilded flicker is largely a bird of the giant cactus belt, and 
feeds to some extent upon the sweet fruit of the cactus. 



ORDER MACROCHIRBS: GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS. 

(Families Caprimulgid^, Micropodid^, and Trochi- 

LID^.) 

FAMILY C APRIMULGIDiE : GOATSUCKERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Gape without conspicuous bristles, tail emarginate. 

Chordeiles, p. 226. 
1'. Gape with conspicuous bristles, tail even or rounded. 

2. Tarsus feathered in front almost to toes . Antrostomus, p. 222. 
2'. Tarsus entirely naked in front. 

3. Tail even Phalaenoptilus, p. 224. 

3'. Tail much rounded Nyctidromus, p. 225. 

GENUS ANTKOSTOMUS. 

General Characters. — Bill short, gape wide ; nostrils oval with raised 
rim not prolonged into a tube, opening upward and outward ; feet small, 
hind toe short, front toes connected by wehhing, middle toe much longer 
than side toes, its claw pectinated (see Fig. 290) ; tarsus not longer than 
middle toe without claw, feathered in front nearly to toes ; wing folding to 
or beyond rounded tail ; plumage lax, primaries weak. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Bristles of gape with lateral filaments . . . carolinensis, p. 222. 
1'. Bristles of gape without lateral filaments. 

2. Throat bar chiefly or wholly white ..... vociferus, p. 223. 

2'. Throat bar chiefly or wholly yellowish . macromystax, p. 223. 

416. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmel.). CnucK-wiLL's-wroow. 

Adult male. — General color dark brown or blackish brown, mottled, 
barred, and spotted with tawny and blackish, reddish brown on wings and 



GOATSUCKERS 223 

tail ; tail with at least terminal third of outer feathers white or huffy ; 
throat tawny, bristles of gape ivith lateral filaments. Adult female : similar, 
but without white or buffy on tail. Young : similar, but much lighter, top 
of head grayish and wings tawny. Length: 11-12, wing 8.70-8.90, tail 
6.25-6.30. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone in the southeastern United 
States, from soutliern parts of Virginia. Illinois, Indiana, and Kansas 
south to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic west to Fort Clark, 
Texas ; migrates to the West Indies, and through eastern Mexico to South 
America. 

Eggs. — Usually laid on dry leaves on the ground ; 2, creamy or pinkish 
white, blotched, marbled, and spotted with browns and purples. 

Food. — Moths, beetles, winged ants, other insects, and birds. 

Like all the CaprimulgidcB, the chuck-will' s-widow is crepuscular, 
flying about mainly in the dim morning or evening hours. Its call of 
chuck- will" s-widow is markedly different from that of the whip-poor- 
will. 

417. Antrostomus vociferus {Wils.). Whip-poor-will. 

Adult male. — Throat blackish, bordered by ivhite band ; rest of under 
parts mixed tawny and black ; upper parts mottled 
gray, streaked, spotted, and barred with blackish, 
black streaks of crown wide medially ; wings much 
marked with reddish brown; three outer tail feathers 
white for more than terminal third. Adult female : 
similar, but white of tail much restricted and ob- 
scured. Young : top of head mottled gray, spotted 
instead of streaked with black ; rest of upper parts 
bright tawny, scapulars with large black spots ; -p\o. 288. 

under parts almost plain buffy. Length : S).bO-l^.Q{), 
wing 5.80-6.70, tail 5.10-6.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Atlantic to the Plains, and from Mani- 
toba south through western Nebraska to Texas ; migrates to Guatemala ; 
casual to Porto Rico and the West Indies. 

Eggs. — Deposited on dry leaves on the ground ; 2, white, with blotches, 
spots, and tracings of brown and purple. 

Food. — Night-flying insects, including Rocky Mountain locusts. 

417a. A. V. macromystax (Wagler). Stephens Whip-poor-will. 

Adult male. — Similar to A. vociferus, but slightly larger and more 
tawny, throat band largely tawny in adidt male, and white of tail re- 
stricted to less than terminal third. Adult female : similar, but white of 
tail tawny and restricted. Length : 9.60-10.20, wing 6.27-6.65, tail 4.03- 
5.45. 

Distribution. — Arizona, New Mexico, and southwestern Texas ; south 
over mountains bordering tablelands of Mexico to Guatemala. 

Nest. — A slight depression in the ground. Eggs : 1 or 2, white, or 
with faint markings. 

Food. — Among other things, large brown beetles. 

When we were spending a night in the head of McKittrick canyon 
in the Guadalupe Mountains, Stephens whip-poor-wills came close 
enough to our camp -fire for us to hear distinctly the marked burr of 




224 GOATSUCKERS 

their wMp-pur'i'W-idU. Sometimes the notes are repeated faster and 
faster till they all run together. 

In the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, Mr. Bailey found one 
sitting in the shade of a rock in the daytime. At his approach, 
with a quick spring it would dart out of sight around the next rock 
and drop into the darkest shade. Its flight was perfectly noiseless 
and very swift. 

GENUS PHAL^NOPTILUS. 

General Characters. — Bill short with wide gape, nostrils tubular, cylin- 
drical, opening forward and outward ; rietal bristles conspicuous ; feet 
small, hind toe short, middle toe long, its claw pectinated, front toes 
webbed (see Fig. 290) ; tarsus as long as middle toe without claw, naked 
except for joint ; tail square, much shorter than wings. 




Fig. 289. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 



1. Upper parts blackish or dark brown .... californicus, p. 225. 
1'. Upper parts light brown or grayish. 

2. Smaller and paler. Kansas to Texas and Arizona . nitidus, p. 225. 

2'. Larger and not so pale. Nebraska to Cascades . nuttallii, p. 224. 

418. Phalsenoptilus nuttallii {And.). Poor-will. 

Adult male. — Plumage of upper parts moth-like, soft, and velvety, 
finely mottled grayish brown with sharply contrasting velvety black bars 
and sagittate markings ; tail with all but middle feathers tipped with 
white ; sides of head and, chin black, white throat patch bordered by black 
below ; rest of under parts barred except for plain buffy under tail cov- 
erts. Adult female : similar, but with white tips to tail feathers nar- 
rower. Young : upper parts more silvery gray mixed with rusty ; black 
markings smaller and less distinct ; white of throat and tail restricted 
and tinged with buffy. Wing : 5.78, tail 3.67. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran and Transition zone of British 
Columbia and the western United States, from the Cascades and Sierra 
Nevada east to central Nebraska ; winters from deserts along the southern 
border south to Guatemala. 

Eggs. — Usually laid on the bare ground ; 2, white, unspotted or lightly 
marked. 

Food. — Night-flying moths, beetles, locusts, and other insects. 

In southern California in the dim evening light I have often seen 
poor-wills hunting insects along the roads and had them come close 
to me in a ranch dooryard when they would make short sallies from 
the ground, fluttering around with soft, noiseless flight, uttering a 
low chuck, chuck. In the daytime their eyes are of little use. A 
pair of the birds that Mr. Bailey once came upon at Emigrant Gap 
showed this sun blindness very strikingly. They had been sitting 



GOATSUCKERS 225 

in the shade of a bush, and flew from his feet as he approached. 
One of them lit again in a patch of bright sunlight, and, apparently- 
blinded by the light, sat there calmly until he walked up within a 
few feet of it. He experimented with the birds, flushing them a 
number of times, and found that when they lit in the shade, as they 
usually did, they were not only much less conspicuous than in the 
sun, blending in with the leaves and rocks, but the shade enabled 
them to see him clearly enough for them to recognize what he was 
so that they would fly while at a distance of four or five rods. 

The poor-will himself is less known than his voice, which is insep- 
arably associated with the warm still western evenings. Coming 
from the canyons in the moonlight it is one of the softest, most 
soothing sounds in nature. 

418a. P. n. nitidus Brewst. Frosted Poor-will. 

Similar to nuttallii, but smaller and paler, prevailing- color of upper parts 
brownish gray inclining to silver i/ or hoary, with black markings smaller and 
much restricted ; chin and sides of head mottled grayish brown ; chest with 
little if any solid black. Wing : 5.44, tail 3.52. 

Distribution. — Texas to Arizona and from western Kansas south to 
northern Mexico. 

Eggs. — Deposited on ground in open places, sometimes under a bush ; 
2, white, usually faintly tinged with buffy. 

418b. P. n. Galifomicus Ridgw. California Poor-will. 

Similar to nuttallii, but much darker ; middle of crown largely blackish ; 
hind neck extensively marked with black, back dull blackish gray or wood 
brown instead of light brown. 

Distribution. — Coast region of California. 

Eggs. — Similar to those of nuttallii. 

GENUS NYCTIDROMUS. 

Nostrils prolonged as cylindrical tubes opening forward and outward ; 
rictal bristles heavy ; tarsus lengthened, but not exceeding middle toe with- 
out claw ; wing scarcely rounded ; plumage not so lax as in the whip-poor- 
will, 

419. Nyctidromus albicoUis merrilli Senn. Merrill Pa- 

RAUQUE. 

Adult male. — Upper parts finely mottled gray and brown, the crown 
broadly streaked Avith velvety black, and scapulars strikingly patterned with 
triangular velvety black and buffy markings; wing quills crossed by white 
band ; tail with second and third feathers largely white, throat with wide 
white band, rest of under parts buffy, barred. Adult female: similar, but 
smaller, browner, duller, and white of wings and tail restricted. Young : 
similar to sexes of adults, but much paler, crown with markings triangular 
or tear-shaped with light border. Male : length 12.00-13.50, wing 6.75- 
7.50, tail 6.75-7.40. Fe7nale : length 10.50-11.50, wmg 6.00-6,30, tail 5.80- 
6.00. 

Distribution. — From southern Texas south to the Isthmus of Tehuan- 
tepec. 



226 



GOATSUCKERS 



Eggs. — Placed on the ground, usually near a clump of bushes ; cream or 
buff, spotted and splashed with browns, buff, pink, and lavender. 
Food. — Moths, beetles, and other insects. 

When in southern Texas near the Mexican line we were startled at 
our camp-fire supper one evening by a strange new note, a hoarse 
pa-rau -que, and hurrying out into the dusk found a large bird hunt- 
ing insects on the road in poor- will fashion, flying from one bare 
spot of ground to another among the mesquites. As we followed 
him he repeated his call from each spot, and once gave it from the 
top rail of a fence. 



GENUS CHORDEILES. 

General Characters. — Bill short with wide gape ; bristles not decidedly 

shorter than bill ; nostrils cylindrical and rimmed about, 

hardly tubular, opening outward and upward ; feet weak, 

hind toe short, front toes connected by web, middle toe 

long, its claw pectinated; tarsus feathered part way 

down in front; tail lightly forked, much shorter than 

Fig. 290 " ^^® long narrow wing. 




KEY TO SPECIES. 

Wing band back of tip of seventh quill (Figs. 292 and 293). 

texensis, p. 228. 
. Wing band mainly or wholly forward from tip of seventh quill. 
2. Upper parts glossy black, mottled with lighter virginianus, p. 226. 
2'. Upper parts mainly grayish or brownish. 

3. Paler. Plains sennetti, p. 228. 

3'. Darker. Western states henryi, p. 227. 



NiGHTHAWK. 

below by blackish chest 





Fig. 292. 



Fig. 291. 



420. Chordeiles virginianus {Gmel.j. 

Adult male. — White throat patch bordered 

patch ; belly 

barred with 

blackish and 

white ; upper 

parts glossy 

black mottled 

with gray and 

lightly marked with buffy brown ; white or buffy wing 

band mainly or wholly forward from tip of seventh quill ; 
space between white band and primary coverts plain blackish, secondaries 
indistinctly if at all spotted with buffy or brownish ; tail except middle 
feathers crossed with broad white band near tip. Adult female : white of 
tail restricted or wanting. Young : more finely and profusely mottled 
than adults. TFiw^ ; 7.30-8.25, tail 4..30-4.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Hudson Bay region and the Mackenzie 
River at 65° south through the United States, east of the Plains, and in 
wooded districts to Washington, Oregon, and northern California ; south 
in winter to the Bahamas, Central America, and the greater part of South 
America. 

Eggs. — Laid on the bare ground in exposed situations ; 2, creamy, olive 



GOATSUCKERS 227 

buff, or gray, profusely blotched or speckled with blackish, brownish gray, 
and lavender. 

Food. — Insects, such as flies, ants, mosquitoes, small beetles, grasshop- 
pers, crickets, and moths. 

The three forms of virginianus resemble each other so closely in 
habit and appearance that they are difficult to distinguish except in 
the hand. Their distribution is little help in determining them except 
during the breeding season when sennetti retires to the Dakotas ; for 
at other times henryi and sennetti range together from Dakota to 
Texas ; and even in the breeding season the eastern form makes irreg- 
ular irruptions into the range of the western. 

The nighthawks, while wholly absorbed in their own aerial pur- 
suits, nevertheless beguile many an hour for the weary wayfarer in 
the west. As the ambulance-like ' hack ' or prairie schooner makes 
its slow way over the hot bare plains, the traveler hails with delight 
the sight of the little black stick lying on the groimd in the midst 
of the glaring flatness. The bird's eyes are shut and his long wings 
folded close to his sides, but at the sound of horses' hoofs he is up in 
the sky, sailing this way and that, a bit of active life in the lifeless 
plain. 

Then when nightfall approaches and camp is pitched by a water- 
hole in the rocks, in the midst of the desolate expanse the traveler 
feels a thrill of homelike companionship as the 'peent' of a night- 
hawk makes him glance up and he finds a score of the old familiar 
forms zigzagging about showing their white wing crescents at the 
turns of their flight. 

How wonderfully at home they seem in the sky ! Now they soar 
with wings set at an angle, then flap along in a straight line, to dive 
suddenly straight down almost into camp with a loud, whizzing 
boom. 

In the nesting season as the hunter crosses a bare-space among 
the rocks on the mountains, sometimes a nighthawk will start from 
under his very feet and with wings outspread and tail hanging 
trail lamely off till satisfied with her ruse, when with swift strong 
flight she makes a wide circle and returns either to trail once more, 
before him or to settle down on a rock where she can watch to see 
if he has discovered her almost invisible young. 

420a. C. V. henryi [Cass). Western Nighthawk. 

Similar to virginianus, but paler; upper parts mainly light grayish 
huffy or ochraceous ; dark bars on under parts spaced with tawny white. 

Remarks. — Though lighter than virginianus, henryi is much darker 
than sennetti, which is light brown, buffy, and on wing coverts mainly 
whitish. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of the western 




228 GOATSUCKERS 

United States from the plains to the Pacific, and to British Columbia west 
of Cascades ; migrates to northern South America. 

Eggs. — Laid on the ground in open situations ; 2, like those of virgin- 
ianus. 

420c. C. V. sennetti {Cows). Sennett Nighthawk. 

Similar to henryi, but much paler; top of head brownish instead of 
blackish ; wing coverts largely whitish ; under parts with dark bars brown 
instead of black, spaced with white instead of buffy. 

Distribution. — Treeless region of the plains, from the Saskatchewan 
south to Texas. 

421. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis (Lawr.). Texan 
Nighthawk. 

Adult male. — White throat patch without adjoining black chest patch, 

belly barred with blackish and 
buffy ; upper parts dull mottled 
gray, streaked with blackish ; 
white wing band back of tip of sev- 
enth quill ; space between white 
band and primary coverts spotted 
Fig. 293. with brown. Adult female: siixi- 

ilar, but with white tail band 
restricted or wanting and wing band buffy. Young : more finely mottled, 
with less blackish above, less barring beneath, and upper parts often 
suffused with cinnamon or rusty buff. Length : 8-9, wing 6.60-7.30, tail 
4.10-4.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from Texas to southern 
California, and from Nevada and Utah south to Cape St. Lucas and Ve- 
ragua. 

Eggs. — Deposited on the bare ground ; 2, clay color to creamy, minutely 
marbled with dots of grays, browns, and lilac. 
Food. — Partly moths, cicadas, and beetles. 

Mr. Anthony found the Texan nighthawks ' fairly swarming ' at 
Deming, New Mexico; and in Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona, and in 
the southwestern parts of Texas, Mr. Bailey found them abundant. 
They sit in the shade during the day, but at night the air is filled 
with their 'bubbling cry,' especially about water. At Yuma they 
would come to the river just after sundown to drink. Hovering 
close to the w^ater with neck bent down they would take a sip, then 
fly a little way and repeat it. After drinking they would circle 
over the water till dark in pursuit of insects. At Owen Lake, Cali- 
fornia, they were found skimming close to the water in pursuit of a 
small fly which was swarming on and near the shore. 

Mr. Anthony says they do not indulge in the aerial evolutions of 
other nighthawks, but fly low, doing much of their hunting within 
two feet of the ground, jumping up after passing insects much as 
the poor-wills do. 

On the wing they are easily told from other nighthawks by their 
brownness and by the position of the wing bar near the tip of the 



SWIFTS 229 

wing. Their voice also marks them. They do not boom or give 
the quank characteristic of other members of the family. Mr. Bai- 
ley describes their notes as a low rapid chuck, chuck, chuck, followed 
by a soft pur'rWWr'r'f, which, when several birds are about, be- 
comes almost incessant. 

In parts of southwestern Texas during the breeding season the 
Texan is the only nighthawk, and Dr. Mearns states that he has 
never known henryi to infringe on the territory of texensis in the 
breeding season, henryi nesting in the pines and spruces of Transi- 
tion and Boreal zones; texensis below the pines in Lower Sonoran 
zone. In California, Mr. Grinnell says, texensis nests in dry parts 
of river-beds and sandy places among sagebrush. 

FAMILY MICROPODIDiE : SWIFTS. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

I. Tarsus and part o£ toes feathered Aeronautes, p. 232. 

1. Tarsus and toes naked. 




2. Tail feathers tipped with spines . . ChaBtura, p. 230. 

Fig. 294. 
2'. Tail feathers not tipped with spines . Cypseloides, p. 229. 

GENUS CYPSELOIDES. 

422. Cypseloides niger borealis (Kenn.). Black Swift. 

Tail slightly forked ; tarsus and toes naked, the hind toe pointing back- 
ward. Adults: dusky or blackish, 
lighter on head and neck, the forehead 
hoary, a velvety black area in front of 
eye. Young : similar, but feathers 

tipped with whitish. Length: 7.00- Fig 295 

7.50, wing 6.50-7.50, tail 2.30-3.00. 

Distribution. — From the Rocky Mountain region west to the Pacific, 
and from British Columbia south to Lower California and Costa Rica. 

Nest. — On cliffs or about buildings. One described by M. H. Gorm- 
ley, on the cornice of a building, made of straws, chips, and horsehair, 
lined with green leaves and paper. Eggs : 5, white. 

Food. — Insects. 

The black swift has been found breeding on inaccessible cliffs in 
various parts of the west, but little that is peculiar has been discov- 
ered about its habits except that it is less noisy than most of the 
swifts. A nest was accidentally discovered by Mr. Vrooman at 
Santa Cruz when collecting cormorants' eggs on the cliffs. 

Mr. Rathbun says the swifts may be seen circling about above the 
city of Seattle, rarely being seen, except when rain threatens, lower 
than from 300 to 500 feet. 



230 



SWIFTS 



GENUS CHJETURA. 

General Characters. — Tail less than half as long' as wing, rounded or 
even, the feathers usually with distinct spines ; wing less than 5.50 ; tar- 
sus and toes naked, hind toe directed backward. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Wing 5 or more. Eastern pelagica, p. 230. 

r. Wing decidedly less than 5. Pacific to Sierra Nevada. 

vauxii, p. 231. 

423. Chaetura pelagica {Linn.). Chimney Swift. 

Sooty gray, the throat paler. Length : 4.75-5.50, wing 5.00-5.25, tail, 
including spines, 1.90-2.15. 




Fig. 296. 



SWIFTS 231 

Distribution. — Breeds in eastern North America from northern Mani- 
toba and Labrador southward, west to the Great Plains ; migrates beyond 
the United States as far as Yucatan and Jalapa, Mexico. 

Nest. — A wall pocket of twigs, glued together with saliva and fas- 
tened to inside of hollow tree or chimney. Egys : 4 to 6, white. 

Food. — Insects. 

The eastern chimney swifts are said to be common in western 
Kansas. ' ' They are dark little birds who row through the air like 
racers, twittering sociably as they go. Sometimes as you watch 
them on a village street you will see them suddenly stop short and 
pitch down the black mouth of a chimney, for it is now only the 
most old-fashioned ones who nest in hollow trees. . . . There is 
actually no record of their alighting anywhere except in a hollow 
tree or a chimney. They even gather tlieir nesting materials on the 
wing, breaking off bits of twig in their feet, and it is said with their 
bills, literally, in passing. ... It would be quite impossible for an 
ordinary bird to fasten a wall-pocket of twigs to a perpendicular 
chimney, but the swift is provided with a salivary glue that defies 
anything but heavy rain." {Birds of Village and Field.) 

424. Chsetura vauxii (Towns.). Vaux Swift. 

Upper parts sooty brown, lighter on rump and tail ; tail tipped with 
spines ; under parts gray, lighter on throat. 
Length: 4.15-4.50, wing 4.30-4.75, tail (includ- 
ing spines) 1.50-1.90. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region from Brit- 
ish Columbia south to Lower California, and '^' " '" 

east to western Montana and Arizona — rare and sporadic east of the Cas- 
cades and Sierra Nevada ; migrates to Mexico and Central America. 

Nest. — Of small twigs glued together and fastened to the inside of a 
hollow tree. Fggs : 3 to 5, white. 

Food. — Aerial insects. 

Major Bendire says that the Vaux swift usually reaches the United 
States on its way back from Central America about the middle of 
April, and leaves in October. It migrates in flocks of from fifty to 
a hundred, but when at home generally hunts in sm;ill flocks of 
fifteen or twenty. Mr. Anthony once found a pair nesting in a large 
stub, and says that in going to the nest they would ' circle about 
fully two hundred feet above the stub, until directly over the open- 
ing ; then, darting down like a flash, would disappear with a sharp 
twitter.' 

Mr. Littlejohn, of Redwood, California, has found a pair of swifts 
nesting in a chimney, and it will be interesting for observers to 
watch the birds to see how soon they acquire the habits of the more 
civilized swifts. 



232 HUMMINGBIRDS 



GENUS AERONAUTES. 



425. Aeronautes meianoleucus (Baird). White-throated 

Swift. 

Tail about one half as long as wing, forked, with stiffish and narrowed 

but not spiny feathers; tarsus and part of 

toes feathered ; hind toe directed either 

forward or to the side, but not backward. 

J,- 298 Upper parts blackish ; throat and breast 

and patches on wing and sides of rump white; 

sides blackish ; tail without bristles. Length : 6.50-7.00, wing- 5.30-5.90, 

tail 2.50-2.70. 

Remarks. — The white markings distinguish this swift from vauxii, 
whether seen from above or below. 

Distribution. — Western United States from the Pacific coast east to the 
region of the Black Hills, western Nebraska ; and from Montana south to 
Lower California and Guatemala. 

Nest. — On cliffs or in caves, glued to the rocks, made of vegetable 
matter and stiff feathers, lined with bark fiber and a few feathers. Eggs : 
4 or 5, white. 

Food. — Aerial insects. 

There is one bird that needs no protective legislation for itself or 
nest. The home of the white- throated swifts is in the air around lofty- 
peaks and cliffs, where they circle and wheel and dart on curved, 
cutting wings with arrow-like speed. As you stand on the crest of 
a ridge where they pass, there is a flash of black and white and a 
bullet-like whizz as one after another goes by, and you wonder that 
any living thing can move with such speed. I have seen collectors 
who were good wing shots fire till their gun barrels were hot and 
turn away with empty belts and only a single specimen of the swifts. 
As the birds seldom come to low altitudes it is not strange that they 
should be rare in collections. Their nests, placed in crevices or 
caves half way up inaccessible cliffs, have rarely been taken. 

Vernon Bailey. 

FAMILY TROCHILIDiE: HUMMINGBIRDS. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Exposed culmen half as long as wing or longer. 

Calothorax, p. 242. 
1'. Exposed culmen less than half as long as wing-. 

^ ^ Fig. 299. • 

2. Exposed culmen not more than .50 ; outer tail feathers 

black-barred and white-tij^ped in both sexes . . Atthis, p. 241. 
2'. Exposed culmen more than .50 ; outer tail feathers not black-barred 
and white-tipped in both sexes. 
3. Nostrils nearly or wholly naked. 

4. Tail blue black in both sexes, upper parts metallic grass green. 

lache, p. 244. 
4'. Tail not blue black. 




HUMMINGBIRDS 



233 



5. Exposed culmen not more than half as long- as tail ; with white 

stripe back of eye . Basilinna, p. 243. 

5'. Exposed culmen more than half as long as tail ; without white 

stripe back of eye Amizilis, p. 243. 

3'. Nostrils nearly or wholly feathered. 
4. Wing' more than 2.40. 

5. Tail chiefly black — g'orget of male intense blue. 

Coeligena, p. 234. 
5'. Tail wholly (male) or partly (female) g'reenish bronze, g'org-et 

of male emerald green Eugenes, p. 233. 

4'. Wing less than 2.25. 

5. Middle tail feathers broader near end than toward 
base — spatulate Stellula, p. 241. 

Fig. 300. 
5'. Middle tail feathers narrower near end than toward base. 

6. Tail partly rufous Selasphorus, p. 238. 

6'. Tail without rufous. 



7. Adult males with top of head like gorget ; 
females with outer tail feathers broadly 
linear Calypte, p. 236. 



7'. Adult males with top of head like back ; 
females with outer tail feathers concave on 
inner side .... TrocMlus, p. 234. 



GEWTJS EUGEWES. Fig. 302. 

426. Eugenes fulgens (Swains.). Rivoli Hummingbird. 

Bill flattened and slightly widened at base ; tail slightly forked in male, 
double rounded in female ; tarsus feathered. 
Adult male : top of head metallic purplish, gorget 
brilliant emerald green ; rest of upper parts bronzy 
green ; under parts blackish green or dull bronzy, 
breast black in some lights. Adult female : top of 
head dull brownish, small white spot behind eye ; 
rest of upper parts bronzy green ; lower parts 
brownish gray, sides washed with green ; tail with 
outer feathers very broadly tipped with pale gray 
or whitish. Young : similar to adult female, but 
feathers of upper parts with pale buffy edgings. 
Male: length 4.50-5.00, wing 2.90-3.10, tail 1.90- 
2.00, bill 1.00-1.20. Fejnale : wing 2.60-2.75, tail 
1.70-1.90, bill 1.00-1.15. 

Distribution. — Mountains of southeastern Ari- 
zona and mountains bordering tablelands of Mex- 
ico to Nicaragua. 

■Nest. — Usually in maples, sycamores, or firs, 
35 to 50 feet from the ground, made of silky plant 
fibers and grass tops, coated with lichen and lined with sycamore down 
and feathers. 

Food. — Largely insects from flowers such as honeysuckle and agave. 





From Ridgway, Smithsonian. 
Fig. 303. 



234 HUMMINGBIRDS 

Mr. Willard of Tombstone, Arizona, says that the noise made by 
the wings of the Rivoli hummingbird lacks the sharpness of that of 
the smaller hummers and compares it to the buzzing of an im- 
mense beetle or bumblebee. He adds that the male may often be 
seen near the top of some dead tree catching insects like a flycatcher. 
Mr. W. W. Price reports that the hummers feed from iris and also 
agave flowers. In the Chiricahua Mountains Dr. Fisher found them 
gleaning from the flowers of a boreal honeysuckle. Mr. Price 
records them only between the altitudes of from 6500 to 9500 feet. 

GENUS CCELIGENA. 

427. CCBligena clemencise Less. Blue-throated Hummingbird. 

Tail more than two thirds as long- as wing-, slightly rounded, feathers 

iiiiiiTi||^ very broad ; bill less than one third as long- 

'" K«L ^^ wing'. Adult male : gorget azure blue ; 

^^^» streak from bill and back of eye white ; up- 

® ^^^ per parts dull bronzy green, changing to 

purplish black on upper tail coverts and 

' tail, outer tail feathers tipped with white ; 

under parts slate gray washed with green on 

sides. Adult female: similar, but throat 

buffy instead of blue. Length: 4.50-5.40, 

wing 2.90-3.20, tail 1.85-2.20, exposed cul- 

men .85-1.00. 

Remarks — The females of the blue- 
throated and the Rivoli can be easily dis- 
tinguished by the tail, which in the blue- 
throated is blue black, in the Rivoli largely 

From Ridgway, Smithsonian. bronzy green. 

Fig. 304. Distribution. — Southern Arizona, western 

Texas, and mountains of the tablelands of Mexico to Oaxaca. 

Nest. — Fine mosses and oak catkins, bound together with web, placed 
in the fork of a small shrub, or on a fern. (Breniger.) Eggs : 2, white. 

Among the little restless, darting, scintillating hummers of the 
United States, the big, quiet, sober-colored blue-throats seem more 
like foreign birds, and really are only visitors across our border from 
Mexico. Whether bathing in the spray of a slender mountain fall, 
or feeding from flower to flower, they have a low hum and quiet 
ways, perching frequently on a branch to twitter a little song and 
preen their feathers, or climbing about among the flowers of a big 
agave in search of food in real oriole fashion. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS TROCHIIiUS. 

General Characters. — Male with metallic gorget not elongated on the 

sides ; tail forked or deeply emarginate, the feathers 

pointed, but the outside ones not extremely narrow ; 

six inner primaries abruptly and conspicuously smaller 

ig- o 0. ^j^g^j^ ^Yie rest with their inner web more or less notched 

or toothed at tip. Females with outer tail feathers concave on side. 




HUMMINGBIRDS 



2S5 



// 



KEY TO ADULT MALE TROCHILUS. 

1. Throat velvety black. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. 

alexandri, p. 235. 
1'. Throat metallic crimson. Plains to Atlantic . . . colubris, p. 235. 

Subgenus Trochilus. 

428. Trochilus colubris Linn. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 

Adult male. — Chin velvety black, scales of gorget brilliant crimson, upper 
parts bronzy green ; under 

parts dark gray g"lossed with •' ' "'~ ^ - 

green ; wing' with six inner 
primaries abruptly shorter 
than the rest. Adult female : 
tail with middle feathers all , i, 

green, the rest green basally, , 

then black ; three outer pairs ,- 

broadly tipped with white. , 

Young male : similar to adult 
female, but throat streaked 
with dusky, and feathers of 
upper parts edg-ed with pale 
buffy. Young female : sim- 
ilar, but throat without j,' 
streaks, and tail more /, 
rounded. Male : length 3.07- 
3.25, wing- 1.60, tail 1.25, tail "f 
forked for about .30-.35, ex- ^ 
posed eulmen .55-.65. Fe- 
male : length 3.50-3.85, wing 
1.80, tail 1.20, bill .70. 

. Distribution. — Breeds 
from the Atlantic to western 
parts of Nebraska and Texas, 
and from Labrador south to 
Florida ; migrates to Cuba, Mexico, and Central America. 

Nest. — A felted cup of soft vegetable fibers coated with lichen and 
fastened with web ; saddled on to a twig or small branch of a tree, usually 
10 to 20 feet from the ground. Eggs : 2, white. 

Food. — Largely mintite spiders and insects. 

The ruby-throated hummingbird has been reported as breeding in 
the western parts of Nebraska and Texas. 

429. Trochilus alexandri Bourc. ^ Muh. Black-chinned Hum- 

mingbird. 

Adult male. — Gorget above opaque velvety black, below metallic violet glit- 
tering with purple, blue, and peacock green lights; upper parts 
greenish ; under parts soiled whitish, green on sides. Adidt 
female : upper parts bronzy g-reen ; under parts grayish ; 
tail much rounded, middle pair of feathers about the longest 
and wholly green, next two feathers green tipped with black, 
outer three tipped with white. Young : similar to adult female, 
but feathers of upper parts tipped with buffy or rusty and 
throat of male streaked with dusky. Male: length 3.30-3.75, wing* 1.70- 
1.75, tail 1.25, bill .70-.75. Female: length 3.90-4.10, wing 1.90-2.00. 




Fig. 306. 




Fig. 307. 



236 HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
British Columbia south to Lower California and from the Rocky Moun- 
tains and Texas to the Pacific ; winters in Mexico. 

Nest. — In trees or bushes 4 to 8 feet from the ground, made of white 
or sponge-colored plant down, covered with spider web, sometimes with 
addition of leaves or flowers. Eggs : 2 or 3, white. 

Food. — Largely minute insects. 

In southern California the black-chinned hummer may often be 
seen sunning himself on an oak twig, his dull black throat relieved 
by a violet band that glints green and blue as he turns his head. 
Ordinarily he seems the quietest, most unemotional of humming- 
birds, but if fortunate you may come on him when performing his 
aerial love -dance. One that I once watched took his stand below 
his lady's perch and fixing his eyes upon her swung shuttling from 
side to side in an arc, with the sound and regularity of cl machine. 
He never turned around or took his eyes from hers, but at the end 
of the arc — less than a yard in length — always threw himself back 
by a quick spread of his tail. She sat as if hypnotized, her long bill 
turning as he turned, her eyes following every motion with droll 
absorption. In spite of her flattering attention, however, when his 
dance was over and he looked up for approval, she apparently made 
some slighting remark, for he whizzed off in a hurry and was seen 
no more. 

In Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Grinnell says black-chins 
are summer residents from the lowlands to the tops of the moun- 
tains, but most abundant in the foothills, where they breed in can- 
yons some years by the thousands. Their numbers vary with the 
rainfall, as the abundant flowering plants that follow a wet winter 
afford them ample food. At PhoBnix, Arizona, Mr. Bailey found 
that one of their favorite feeding flowers was the desert Fouqueria. 

GENUS CALYPTE. 

General Characters. — Adult males with tail emarginate or 
slightly forked, outside feathers abruptly narrower 
than the rest. Adult females with outer tail feath- 
ers decidedly narrower than the rest, but with broad 
rounded end. 

2 
Fig. 308. KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Males with gorget and top of head purplish red ; females with under 
parts brownish gray anna, p. 237. 

1'. Males with gorget and top of head metallic violet ; females with under 
parts white costae, p. 236. 

430. Calypte costae (Bourc). Costa Hummingbird. 

Adult male. — Head, gorget, and long flaring ruff hrilliantly burnished 





HUMMINGBIRDS 



237 




metallic amethyst violet changing to blue and green ; back, rump, and mid- 
dle tail feathers green or bronze, outer feathers purplish dusky ; tail 
slightly forked, outer feathers abruptly narrower 
than pair next them ; under parts whitish, belly 
glossed with green. Adult female: under parts 
whitish, throat more or less spotted with metallic 
purple ; sides greenish ; upper parts and middle 
tail feathers bronzy green, other feathers grayish 
brown at base, with black subterminal band and 
white tip. Young : similar to female, but duller, 
and feathers of upper parts narrowly tipped with 
huffy whitish. Male : length 2.75-3.20, wing 1.75- 
1.90, tail 1.10, bill .65-.68. Female: length 3.55- 
3.70, wing 1.70, tail 1.05, bill .70. 

Remarks. — The scales on the crown distinguish ,, ^ , ^ ., 

costce from any common hummingbird except pj^^ gj^ ^osta Humming- 
anna, and in costce the glitter is bluish purple, ^-^^.^ 
never pinkish as in anna. The females of anna 

and costce may be distinguished by the small size of costce, and female 
costce from females of Selasphorus and Atthis by absence of rufous on tail. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from southern parts of 
New Mexico and Utah to southern California ; migrates to Lower Cali- 
fornia and other parts of western Mexico. 

Nest. — Loosely made of plant down or shreds of plant fiber lined some- 
times with feathers and covered with bits of gray lichen, bark, and leaves, 
bound with web ; placed from 1 to 6 feet from the ground, on cactus, in 
bushes or trees. Eggs : 2, white. 

Food. — Insects found on plants and shrubs such as squaw cabbage, 
wild rose, plum, and cherry. 

The habits of the Costa hummingbird seem to differ little from 
those of the family except that it is somewhat more of a desert-loving 
species. Dr. Fisher states that it is the common hummingbird of 
the desert valleys and mountains of southern California and Nevada. 
He has seen it hovering over a bunch of flowers by moonlight. Mr. 
F. Stephens reports the rare sight of a male hummer helping to build 
the nest. 




431. Calypte anna (Less.). Anna Hummingbird. 

Adult male. — Top of head, gorget, and long ruff brilliant metallic deep 
rose pink with bronzy and green lights ; upper 
parts and middle tail feathers metallic green or 
bronzy ; tail decidedly forked, without rufous or 
white ; feathers widening gradually from outside 
to middle ; under parts whitish glossed with 
green. Adult female: similar except on head and 
tail ; crown green like back ; throat usually 
specked with rose. Young : similar to adult female, but feathers of upper 
parts edged with brown. Male : length 3.40-3.60, wing 1.90-2.00, tail 
1.30-1.45, bill .65-.70. Female: length 3.80-4.15, wing 2.05, tail 1.30, 
bill .75. 

Remarks. — Female anna is larger than the females of costce, or of Tro- 
chilus alexandri or colubris. 



From Ridgway, Smithsonian. 
Fig. 311. 



238 HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution. — Central and southern California, chiefly west of the 
mountains, southern Arizona, and Lower California. 

Nest. — Plant down covered with bits of green mosses and lichens, fas- 
tened by web, sometimes lined with feathers or fur ; placed usually 8 to 15 
feet from the ground, in trees or bushes often overhanging water. Eggs : 
2, white. 

Food. — Spiders, small insects, and nectar from flowers ; also sap exud- 
ing from sapsucker punctures. 

' ' Like all the hummingbirds this species follows the flowers, and 
its local presence or absence is governed by their abundance or 
scarcity. Thus, in August and September hundreds of Anna hum- 
mers are to be found over the stubble fields and sunflower patches^ 
attracted by the flowers of the 'tar- weed.' Duiing the winter 
months they are found in profusion about the blossoming eucalyptus 
trees. In January and February when the weather is mild, they 
appear high on the mountain sides among the flowering manzanitas ; 
and in March and April in the blossoming orange groves in the 
valley, and about the currant bushes on the hillsides." (Joseph 
Grinnell.) 

GENUS SELASPHORUS. 

General Characters. — Adult males with outer primary narrow and 
^ _ ^ pointed ; tail feathers partly rufous, more or less grad- 

Fiff. 312. 

^ KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Top of head red like gorget floresii, p. 238. 

1'. Top of head greenish, unlike gorget. 

2. Upper parts mainly rufous rufus, p. 239. 

2'. Upper parts mainly green. 

3. Gorget purple platycercus, p. 238. 

3'. Gorget scarlet alleni, p. 241. 

[431.1.] Selasphorus floresii Gould. Flokesi Hummingbikd. 

Adult male. — Top of head and gorget brilliant metallic red; middle tail 
feathers green bordered with rufous, outer tail feathers wholly dusky ; belly 
white; sides and flanks green. Adult female : unknown. Length: 3.25, 
wing 1.75, tail 1.40, exposed culmen .65. 

Distribution. — Mexico. Recorded at San Francisco and Haywards. 

432. Selasphorus platycercus (Swains.). Broad-tailed Hum- 
mingbird. 
Adult male. — Gorget without elongated sides, deep rose pink ; top of head 
bronzy green like back and middle tail feathers ; other tail 
^ feathers purplish black, some of them edged with rufous ; 
under parts whitish, sides glossed with green. Adult female 
and young : upper parts bronzy green ; under parts whitish, 
W/^//// the throat with dark specks, sometimes with a few central 
feathers like gorget of male ; sides brownish ; three outer 
2 tail feathers rufous at base, with a black subterminal band 
Fig. 313. and white tip ; a touch of green on the second and third 





HUMMINGBIRDS 239 

feather between the rufous and black, the fourth feather green but 
marked with a terminal or subterminal spot of black, and edged with 
rufous, tip often white. Male : length 4.00-4.25, wing 1.92- 
2.05, tail 1.40-1.60, bill .62-.70. Female : length 4.10-4.70, 
wing 2.00-2.10, tail 1.45-1.50, bill .70-.72. 

Remarks. — The females oi platycercus and rufus must be 
carefully discriminated. In platycercus the middle tail feath- 
ers are wholly green, in rujus brown at base ; in platycercus -pig 314^ 
the rufous of the outer feathers is basal and of less extent 
than the black ; in rufus the rufous equals or exceeds the black ; in 
platycercus the next to the middle feather is mainly green, in rufus the 
rufous covers as much ground as the green, black, and white all together ; 
in platycercus the outer feather is .25 broad, in rufus .12 broad. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of the Rocky 
Mountain district from Idaho and Wyoming to mountains of Arizona and 
New Mexico ; west to the Sierra Nevada ; migrates to Guatemala ; recorded 
from Oakland. 

Nest. — Usually within 15 feet of the ground on branches of trees, 
often overhanging a mountain stream, made of willow or cottonwood down 
covered with lichen alone, or lichen, bark, leaves, and plant fibers. Eggs : 
2, white. 

Food. — Insects found on flowers of Castilleia, Fouqueria, Gilia, Agave, 
and others. 

Major Bendire says that the broad-tailed hummingbirds breed in 
the lower foothills and valleys on their first arrival from the south, 
but by the time the young are able to fly the flowers have ceased 
blooming and the countrj^ is getting so dry that they go to the moun- 
tain parks to raise their second broods. 

At 9000 feet in the Sacramento Mountains we found the birds 
abundant the last of May feeding from the gooseberry bushes. 
The noise they made in buzzing about the bushes and flying through 
the air was a metallic rattle strikingly different from the noise made 
by rufus, coluhris, alexandri, or any other hummingbird I had ever 
heard. In addition to a squeaky little song the hummers had some 
small staccato notes. 

When camped at Little Spring, San Francisco Mountain, Dr. Mer- 
riam found platycercus very abundant. They came to the spring to 
drink and bathe at daylight. He says: "They were like a swarm 
of bees, buzzing about one's head and darting to and fro in every 
direction. The air was full of them. They would drop down to 
the water, dip their feet and bellies, and rise and shoot away as if 
propelled by an unseen power." 

433. Selasphorus rufus [Gmel). Rufous Hummingburd. 

Adult male. — Gorget fire red, orange, and brassy green ; general body 
color bright reddish broivn, glossed with bronzy green on crown and some- 
times back, and fading to white next to gorget and on belly ; tail feathers 
rufous, with dark mesial streaks ; middle tail feather broad, pointed at 
tip, second from middle deeply notched on inner web, sinuated on outer web. 




240 HUMMINGBIRDS 

Adult female : upper parts bronzy and rufous, rufous on rump and tail 
coverts ; under parts whitish, throat sometimes with a few 
central brilliant feathers ; sides shaded with rufous ; tail feath- 
ers rufous at base, the middle ones green nearly to base ; outer 
ones with broad blackish subterminal band and white tips ; 
outside feather more than .10 wide. Young males : similar to 
adult female, but feathers of upper parts edg-ed with rusty, 
rump rufous, and throat showing specks of metallic red. Young 
females : similar to young- males, but rump green and throat 
specked onlv with green. Male: length 3.25-3.70, wing 1.50-1.60, tail 
jk 1.30-1.35, bill .60. i^€wa/e; length 3.50-3.90, 
^ m.jJ^ wing 1.75-1.80, tail 1.25-1.30, bill .65-.70. 

"•naii^^^^M^ ar- Remarks. — The male may be told by its 

^^^^1^^^^ m reddish back and the nick in the second tail 

pH^^^L ML feather. See remarks under ^S. platycercus. 

^^^^^^^^r Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and 

«H|^^HHf Canadian zones of western North America 

^l^^l^^^^^^ from the higher mountains of southern Cali- 
^^Hj^^^^l^^^ fornia and Arizona north to latitude 61° in 
j^F^^^^^^ Alaska ; during migrations east to Montana, 
JW '*'- Wyoming, Colorado. New Mexico, and west- 

^ ern Texas ; winters in southern Mexico. 

M Nest. — Lined with down, and decorated 

^H with mosses, lichens, and bark ; often placed 

^^ in ferns, bushes, trees, and vines overhanging 

Fig. 316. Rufous Hummingbird, embankments. Eggs: usually 2, white. 

±ooa. — Insects such as those round on wild 
currant and gooseberry bushes, cherry-tree blossoms, fire-weed, Castilleia, 
Gilia, Pentstemon, and Agave flowers. 

During the spring migration rufus, the big brown hummer, is 
common in southern California, especially about the blooming orange 
groves and the wild gooseberry bushes scattered through the cha- 
parral. 

On the birds' breeding ground the flowers they feed on, as far as 
I have observed, are mainly red, as the hummer's coloration might 
suggest. On San Francisco " Mountain, Arizona, they were es- 
pacially fond of the scarlet pentstemons. On Mount Shasta they fed 
from the painted-cups, tiger lilies, and columbines. Any spot of 
red would attract them as it does other hummers, and they investi- 
gated it fearlessly even when it adorned the person of a collector. 

One of the birds actually crossed a wide meadow of green brakes 
straight to a single columbine standing most inconspicuously near 
the woods. But the painted-cups were their especial delight on 
Shasta, and a meadow full of the flowers was fairly alive with them. 
When attending strictly to his meal a hummer would circle sys- 
tematically around the cup, probing its tubes as he went, but for 
the most part the squeaking, pugnacious little scraps would be 
whizzing in and out, gleams of green, gold, or scarlet glancing 
from their gorgets as they streaked after one another, climbing the 




HUMMINGBIRDS 241 

air bill to bill, or shooting up and sweeping down apparently from 
sheer exuberance of spirits. They seem to be always quarreling 
among themselves, and when it comes to other species of their family 
they attack and drive them off with promptness and decision. 

As soon as the last brood is out of the nest, Mr. Henshaw says, 
the males, warned by the frosty nights and the decreasing supply of 
food, start at once for their winter quarters, leaving the females and 
young to follow later. 

434. Selasphorus alleni Henshw. Allen Hummingbird. 

Adult male. — Similar to rufus, but whole back as well as crown bright 
bronzy green, two outer tail feathers very nar- 
row, and second from middle without notch or sin- 
uation ; outer feather much less than .10 wide. 
Adult female : similar to female rufus, hut with 1 1 
outer tail feathers not more than .10 wide. Male: „. ^ „.„ 
length 3.25-3.30, wing 1.50-1.55, tail 1. 10-1.20, ^" 
^. ' exposed culmen .60-.65, Female : length 3.40, winj 

j^ig. 6ii. 1.(35-1.70, tail 1.05-1.15, exposed culmen .68-70. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
southern British Columbia south along the coast, and east to southern 
Arizona ; migrates to Lower California and Sonora, Mexico. 

Nest. — A cup compactly made of plant down covered with green mosses, 
usually placed on weed stalks, hedges, or bushes overhanging water. Eggs : 
2, white. 

GENUS ATTHIS. 

435. Atthis morcomi Ridgw. Morcom Hummingbird. 

Similar to Stellula, but tail feathers not inclining to spatulate, the outer 
two or three broadly tipped with white in both sexes ; feathers of gorget 
in male broader and without white bases. Adult male : unknown. Adult 
female : upper parts bronzy green, becoming brownish on forehead ; tail 
rufous at base, then, on middle feathers, green ; other feathers narrowly 
green and then black, tipped with white, white tip wanting on fourth 
feather ; under parts white, with tear-shaped flecks of dusky green on 
throat ; sides marked with black and rufous. 

Distribution. — The only specimen known came from the Huachuca 
Mountains, Arizona. 

GENUS STELLULA. 

436. Stellula caUiope Gould. Calliope Hummingbird. 

Six middle tail feathers contracted in the middle and widened at end ; 
adult male with feathers of chin and throat narrow, those on the 
outside of the ruff elongated ; base of ruff white. 

Adult male. — Gorget rose purplish, white bases giving effect 
of streaking ; upper parts metallic green ; tail feathers dusky, 
bases edged with rufous, tip wider than base ; under parts white ; ^'S* '^^^• 
sides tinged with brown and green. Adult female : upper parts bronzy 
green; tail rounded and tail feathers greenish gray basally with touch of 
rufous, black-banded, and tipped with white, except middle pair, which 
are green, ending in dusky. Young : similar, but under parts washed with 
rufousj throat specked with dusky. Male : length 2.75-3.00, wing 1.50- 




242 



HUMMINGBIRDS 




1.60, tail .90-1.10, exposed eulmen .55-.58. 
Female: leng-th 3.50, wing- 1.75-1.80, tail 
1.10-1.15. bill .58-60. 

Bemarks. — This is the smallest humming- 
bird in the United States, and may be distin- 
guished by its size together with the large 
amount of rufous on its under parts and the 
small amount on its tail. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and 
perhaps Transition zone in western moun- 
tains from British Columbia to southern Cali- 
fornia, and east to Colorado ; migrating as far 
south as mountains of Guerrero, Mexico. 
,, „ , ^ ., Nest. — Willow down, protectina-ly eol- 

IK- ooA ^ ^T XT ■ u- J ored with bits ot bark and shreds of cone, 

Fig. 320. Calliope Hummingbird. ^ j ■ 4. j j i 

placed on or against a dry cone or dead 

limb of a pine. Eggs : 2, white. 

"The Calliope hiimiuiiigbird is the smallest of the TrocMUdm 
found within the United States. It is a mountain-loving species, 
and during the breeding season is rarely met with below altitudes 
of 4000 feet, and much more frequently between 6500 to 8000 feet. 
Its favorite resorts are the open timber found about the edges of 
mountain meadows and parks, and the rocky hillsides covered here 
and there with straggling pines and small aspen groves." (Bendire.) 

At Fort Sherman, Idaho, Dr. Merrill says its arrival in spring is 
coincident with the blossoming of the wild hawthorn. 



GENUS CALOTHORAX. 

437. Ca.lothorax lucifer (Swains.). Lucifer Hummingbird. 

Bill distinctly curved ; tail forked, three outer feathers narrow ; females 
with tail double-rounded and deeply emarginate. 

Adult male. — Bill lono- and curved ; gorget elongated on sides, metallic 
lilac, or violet purple ; upper parts bronzy 
green ; forked tail with narrow outer feath- 
ers purplish black, four middle feathers 
green ; median under parts white ; sides 
green and rufous. Adult female : similar, but 
bronzy green above, under parts plain pale 
rufous ; tail less deeply forked than in male 
and feathers broader, the three outer ones ru- 
^'""N,,,^ foils at base and white at tip. Male : length 

^_^ 3.40-3.60, wing 1.40-1.60, tail 1.25-1.35, 

^^ exposed culnien .85-90. Female : wing 1.65- 

^^^^ 1.80, tail 1.20-L25, exposed eulmen .75-.90. 

^ ^ ^ Remark's. — The female may be distin- 

y* ^1^ guished by its curved bill. 

Distribution. — From western Texas and 
southern Arizona south to the city of Mexico 
and Fuebla. 

Nest. — Cotton or thistle down covered 
with scales of white lichen. Eggs : 2, white. 



From Ridgway, Smithsonian. 

Fig. 321. 
Food. — Insects found in flowers of agaves and other plants. 



HUMMINGBIRDS 243 

In the Chisos Mountains in western Texas Mr. Bailey found the 
Lucifer hummer with several other species common in June about the 
big agaves, which were then in full flower. 

GENUS AMIZILIS. 

General Characters. — Nasal scale large and swollen, nasal slit entirely 
exposed ; bill light-colored, dark-tipped, broad and flattened at base ; tail 
forked or emarginate ; sexes alike. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Upper tail coverts brown . tzacatl, p. 243. 

1'. Upper tail coverts green chalconota, p. 243. 

438. Amizilis tzacatl {Be la Llave). Rieffer Hummingbird. 
Adults. — Whole body dark peacock green except belly, which is brown- 
ish gray ; wings purplish ; square tail and its coverts chestnut, tail feathers 
naarked with bronze. Young : similar, but rump tinged with rufous and 
forehead washed witli rusty. Length: 4, wing 2.00-2.35, tail 1.45-1.70, 
exposed culmen .70-.l)0. 

Distribution. — From the valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas south 
through Central America to Ecuador. 

Nest. — Grass and plant fiber covered with green moss, often in orange, 
lemon, or lime trees, 4 or 5 feet from the ground, Eggs : 2, white. 

The Rieffer hummingbird is a Central American species apparently 
only straggling across the Mexican line in Texas. 

439. Amizilis cerviniventris chalconota (Oberh.). Buff- 

bellied Hummingbird. 

Adults. — Upper parts mainly light bronzy green, upper tail coverts green ; 
tail forked., brown, feathers (except outer) tipped with bronzy or violet ; 
throat green ; rest of under parts buffv brown. Length : 4.00-4.50, wing 
2.15-2.30, tail 1.50-1.70, exposed culmen, .70-.80. 

Distribution. — From the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, south in win- 
ter to eastern Mexico. 

Nest. — In bushes or small trees, made of shreds of vegetable fiber, lined 
usually with thistle down ; covered with bits of blossoms, lichen, and shreds 
of bark fastened by spider web. 

"The buff -bellied hummingbird proves to be an abundant summer 
visitor, and I have nowhere found it so abundant as on the military 
reservation at Fort Brown. Here it seems perfectly at home among 
the dense tangled thickets, darting rapidly among the bushes and 
creeping vines, and is with difficulty obtained. A rather noisy bird, 
its shrill cries usually first attract one's attention to its presence." 
(Dr. Merrill, quoted by Bendire.) 

GENUS BASILINNA. 

440.1. Basilinna leucotis (VieilL). White-eared Humming- 
bird. 

Nostrils exposed ; tail emarginate, the feathers broad and rather stiff ; 
tarsus densely feathered. 



244 



HUMMINGBIRDS 



Advlt male. — Forehead and chin deep blue, throat and upper parts of 
chest metallic emerald green ; a conspicuous white stripe behind eye ; tail 
mainly blackish. Adult female and young : under parts g-ray, spotted with 
green ; head marked with stripes as in male ; middle tail feathers entirely 
green or bronzy, the others black, the outer pairs tipped with grayish. 
Length :^ 3.25-3.40, wing- 2.00-2.30, tail 1.30-1.50, exposed culmen .65-.68. 

Distribution. — From mountains of southeastern Arizona, south to Nica- 
rag-ua. 

Food. — Insects found in honeysuckles and other flowers. 

In the Chiricahua Mountains Dr. Fisher found a white-eared hum- 
mingbird on a bush of the wild honeysuckle from which the other 
hummingbirds of the neighborhood — the broad-tailed, Rivoli, and 
blue-throated — were regularly feeding. 



GENUS lACHE. 

441. lache latirostris (Swains.). Broad-billed Hummingbird. 

Bill wide at base ; tail deeply emarginate in male, less so in female. 
Adult male: gorg-et peacock blue; rest of body metallic g-reen, some- 
times bronzy on back ; tail blue black, tipped with gray. Adult female : 
upper parts green, becoming gray on fore- 
head ; under parts soiled grayish ; tail with 
middle feathers and basal half of outer green, 
corners blue black tipped with gray ; a whit- 
ish streak behind eye, with dusky streak below 
it. Young male : similar to adult female, 
but tail as in male ; lower tail coverts white, 
feathers of upper parts edged with buff ; new 
feathers on throat bluish green, becoming 
fi more bluish toward chin. Young female : 

At, similar to adult, but feathers of upper parts 

\ ^^3f bordered with pale buff. Male : length 3.50- 

iWr 3.75, wing 2.00-2.20. tail 1.35-1.50 (forked 

j^"^^ for .25-.35), bill .75-.85. Female: length 

>^ 3.88-4.10, wing 2.00-2.15, tail 1.25-1.30 

^-^ ' (forked for .15), bill .78-.85. 

Distribution. — From mountains of south- 
ern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico 
south to the city of Mexico. 
Nest. — Saddled to a drooping twig made of bark and plant fibers, out- 
side decorated with strips of bark, fine stems, and lichen. 

In Arizona where Mr. Stephens found the broad-billed humming- 
birds they were always near water, usually along streams in high 
mountain canyons. They perched on dead twigs where they could 
command a view, apparently preferring sycamores to other trees. 
He describes their notes as flat, differing from those of other hum- 
mingbirds. 



From Ridgway, Smithsonian. 
Fig. 322. 



COTINGAS — FLYCATCHERS 245 



ORDER PASSERES : PERCHING BIRDS. 

(Families Cotingid^, Tyrannid^, Alaudid^, Corvid^, 
Sturnid^, Icterid^, Fringillid^, Tanagrid^, Hirun- 
DiNiD^, Ampelid^, Laniid^, Vireonid^, Mniotilti- 

D^, MOTACILLID^, ClNCLID^, TROGLODYTIDiE, CeRTHIID^, 

Parid^, Sylviid^, Turdid^, etc.) 

FAMILY COTINGIDiE: COTINGAS. 

GENUS PLATYPSARIS. 

441.1. Platypsaris albiventris {Lawr.). Xantus Becard. 

Nostrils partly hidden by bristly feathers ; tip of bill slig-htly hooked ; 
second quill in male small or mdimentary. 
Adult male : throat mainly rose pink ; rest of 
under parts gray, fading' to white below ; 
top of head black ; rest of upper parts slate 
gray, paler on forehead and back of neck. ^' "''" 

Adult female and young male : top of head slaty ; rest of upper parts brown- 
ish gray or grayish brown ; under parts shading from deep brown to 
whitish. Length : 6.50-7.00, wing 3.40-3.68, tail 2.70-3.00, exposed eul- 
men, .58-.65. 

Distribution. — Western Mexico ; recorded from Huaehuca Mountains, 
Arizona. 

As Mr. W. W. Price found an adult male becard in the^ Huaehuca 
Mountains, Arizona, in breeding plumage, apparently accompanied 
by its mate, the interesting birds will doubtless be found breeding in 
the mountains of southern Arizona. 

FAMILY TYRANNIDiE: TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail edg'ed or tipped with white. 

2. Tail deeply forked Muscivora, p. 246. 

2'. Tail not forked Tyrannus, p. 247. 

1'. Tail not edged or tipped with white. 
2. Upper mandible curved on both edges .... Ornithion, p. 265. 
2'. Upper mandible straight for most of its length. 

3. Tail marked with rufous or rusty (except sometimes Myiarchus 
lawrencei olivascens). 
4. Breast ash gray in contrast to yellow belly. Myiarchus, p. 251. 
4'. Breast yellow like belly ; throat white. 

5. Streaked Myiodynastes, p. 250. 

5'. Not streaked Pitangus, p. 250. 

3' . Tail not marked with rufous or rusty. 

4. Wing at least six times as long as tarsus . . Contopus, p. 256. 
4'. Wing not more than five times as long as tarsus. 

5. Sexes different, male scarlet, females and young grayish 
brown Pyrocephalus,p. 264. 



246 FLYCATCHERS 

5'. Sexes similar, largely olivaceous, brown, or black. 

6. Wing- more than 3.25 ..... . . Sayomis, p. 254. 

6'. Wing less than 3.25 Empidonax, p. 259, 

GENUS MUSCIVORA. 

General Characters. — Outer primary cut out ; tail deeply forked ; bill 
flattish, notched, and hooked ; feet small and weak. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. 3 or 4 primaries e margin ate tyrannus, p. 246. 

1. Only 1 primary emarg-inate forficata, p. 246. 

[442.] Muscivora tyrannus (Linn.). Fokk-tailed Flycatcher. 

Adult male. — Tail black, long, and forked, outer feathers edged with 
white ; under parts pure white ; head black, with concealed yellow patch ; 
back gray ; wings blackish brown, with grayish edgings. Adult female : 
similar, but smaller, tail shorter, and yellow crown patch restricted. 
Young : like adults, but tail shorter, sometimes scarcely forked, colors 
duller, wing coverts bordered with rusty, and crown patch absent. Male : 
length 12.00-14.50, wing 4.10-4.75, tail 9-10. 

Distribution. — From southern Mexico south through Central America 
and most of South America ; accidental in the United States (Mississippi, 
Kentucky, New Jersey, and southern California). 

Nest. — Of soft materials, often almost entirely wool, lined with thistle 
down, which is cemented with gum, making a hard smooth bottom. Eggs : 
4, cream color, spotted chiefly at the larger end with chocolate. 

Food. — Aerial insects ; also elderberries and other small fruits. 

The fork-tailed flycatcher is only an accidental straggler in the 
United States. 

443. Muscivora forficata (Gmel.). Scissor-tailed Flycatch- 
er. 

Adult male : Tail forked, white, tipped with black ; body ash gray, whiter 
on throat ; wings blackish ; under wing coverts, axrllars, and tail coverts 
salmon ; head with concealed red spot and upper parts marked with red. 
Adult female : similar, but smaller ; tail shorter and colors duller. Young : 
like adult female, but crown patch wanting. Male: length 12-15, wing 
4.40-5.15, tail 7-10. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from southwestern Mis- 
souri to western Texas ; migrates to Costa Rica ; straggling rarely to Mani- 
toba and Hudson Bay (York Factory). 

Nest. — Generally 5 to 15 feet from the ground, in open situations, 
preferably mesquite, but also other trees and thorny bushes ; made 
usually of fine rootlets and plant stems lined with plant fibers, wool, and 
feathers ; but sometimes of gray moss, cotton, rags, and seaweed. Eggs : 
usually 5, generally clear white, marked with browns and purples. 

Food. — Moths, butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, cot- 
ton-worms, and some berries. 

In visiting the southwestern prairie country the scissor-tail is one 
of the first new birds you notice. Discovering him first perched on 
the chaparral you are struck by his long white tail and glistening 
black, white, and salmon plumage. In perching, the tail is closed 




SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 



FLYCATCHERS 247 

thin, and the black of the wings contrasts well with the bright sal- 
mon sides. He sits quietly like any everyday bird, giving only an 
occasional bee-bird like note, till suddenly up he darts into the air, 
and with delighted wonder you watch his odd ligure and odder 
gyrations in the sky. 

One of his favorite performances is to fly up and, with rattling 
wings, execute an aerial seesaw, a line of sharp-angled VVVVWV's, 
helping himself at the short turns by rapidly opening and shutting 
his long white scissors. As he goes up and down he utters all the 
while a penetrating scream, ka-quee -ka-quee -ka-quee -ka-quee -ka- 
quee . the emphasis being given each time at the top of the ascending 
line. 

Frequently when he is passing along with the even flight of a 
sober-minded crow and you are quietly admiring the salmon lining 
of his wings, he shoots rattling into the air, and as you stare 
after him, drops back as suddenly as he rose. He does this appar- 
ently because the spirit moves him, as a boy slings a stone at the 
sky, but fervor is added by the appearance of a rival or an enemy, 
for he is much like a Tyrannus in his rriasterful way of controlling 
his landscape. He will attack caracaras and white-necked ravens, 
lighting on their backs and giving them vicious blows while scream- 
ing in their ears. 

GENUS TYRANinJS. 

General Characters. — Adults with a bright-colored concealed crown 
patch ; feet small and weak ; tarsus not long-er than middle toe with 
claw ; bill notched and hooked, broad at base, its width at nostrils much 
more than half the distance from nostril to tip ; adults with outer quills 
abruptly narrowed at tip. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Under parts white tyrannus, p. 247. 

1 . Under parts yellow. 
2. Tan even. 

3. Primaries with gradually narrowed tips . . verticalis, p, 248. 

3'. Primaries with abruptly narrowed tips " . . vociferans, p. 249. 

2'. Tail decidedly emarginate couchii, p. 248. 

444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). Kingbird. 

Adults. — Under parts and band on end of tail pure white ; head and tail 
black ; rest of upper parts slate gray ; middle of crown with a concealed 
patch of orange red. Young : crown patch wanting and colors duller, wing 
and tail coverts edged with brownish, tail band and chest tinged with 
brownish. Length : 8-9, wing 4.45-4.75, tail 3.40-3.75, bill from nostril 
.50-. 57. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Sonoran zones of temperate 
North America from the British Provinces chiefly east of the Rocky 
Mountains to the southern border of the United States, Not recorded 
from Arizona. Migrates to middle and South America. 



248 



FLYCATCHERS 




rrom Biological Survey, U. 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 324. Kingbird. 



Dept. of 



Nest. — Made larg-ely of weed stems, twine, wool, or Spanish moss, lined 
with grass, rootlets, and horsehair, placed in bushes or trees 4 to 40 feet 

from the ground. Egys : 3 or 4, from 
white to rose pink, spotted or blotched 
with brown or lavender. 

Food. — Principally grasshoppers, 
crickets, butterflies, weevils, wild bees, 
wasps, caterpillars, and gadflies. 

In general habits the eastern king- 
bird resembles the western members 
of the Tyrannus family, though more 
commonly a bird of the garden and 
orchard. 

He has been accused of eating 
honey-bees, but in the stomach ex- 
aminations made by the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, of 218 only 
14 contained any trace of honey- 
bees, and nearly all these were drones. Ninety per cent, of his food 
consists of insects, mostly injurious kinds. 

446. Tyrannus melancholicus couchii (Baird). Couch King- 

bird. 

Adult male. — Belly brilliant yellow, fading through greenish gray to 
white on throat and under tail coverts ; upper parts gray washed with 
green ; wings and tail brownish edged with whitish, tail notched ; concealed 
orange patch on head. Adult female : similar, but smaller, tail less notched 
and crown patch restricted. Young : like female, but without crown patch, 
yellow duller, and wing coverts bordered with huffy. Length : (male) 9- 
10, wing 4.40-5.00, tail 3.75-4.40. 

Distribution. — From the valley of the lower Rio Grande in Texas south 
to Guatemala. 

Nest. — As described by Sennett, Spanish moss and twigs, lined with 
rootlets ; placed near the end of a horizontal limb on a large elm. Eggs : 
3 or 4, creamy pink, blotched with brown and purple over whole surface, 
or in wreath around larger end. 

447. Tyrannus verticalis Say. Arkansas Kingbird. 

Adult male. — Upper parts and breast light ash gray ; throat paler ; belly 
lemon yellow ; tail black, outer web of outer feather 
abruptly white ; wings brown, end of long quills with 
gradually narroived points ; concealed crown patch 
red. Adah female : similar, but tips of outer quills 
less narrowed and crown patch restricted. Young: 
like adults, but crown patch wanting and colors 
duller, wing coverts bordered with buffy. Length : 
8.00-9.50, wing 4.75-5.25, tail 3.65-4.00, bill from nostril .50-.o5. 

Bemarks. — Verticalis, though very similar to vociferans, can be distin- 
guished in the field by the abruptly white and sharply contrasting outer 
edge of the black tail, and in the hand by the attenuated wing feathers. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of west- 
ern United States from Nebraska and Kansas to the Pacific ; and from 




Fig. 325. 




ARKANSAS KINGBIRD 2. CASSIN KINGBIRD 



FLYCATCHERS 249 

Assiniboia and British Columbia south through Lower California ; migrates 
through western Mexico to Guatemala. 

Nest. — In bushes or trees usually not far from the ground, made of 
twigs, weed stems, plant fibers, rootlets, wool, cocoons, hair, feathers, 
string, thistle down, and paper. Eggs: usually 4, similar to those of Tyran- 
nus tyrannus. 

Food. — Mainly grasshoppers, with moths, butterflies, flies, winged ants, 
caterpillars, and large black crickets. 

The Arkansas kingbird is a masterful, positive character, and when 
you come into his neighborhood you are very likely to know it, for 
he seems to be always screaming and scrimmaging. If he is not over- 
head twisting and turning with wings open and square tail spread 
so wide that it shows the white lines that border it, he is climbing 
up the air claw to claw with a rival, falling to ground clinched with 
him, or dashing after a hawk, screaming in thin falsetto like a scis- 
sor-tail flycatcher. A passing enemy is allowed no time to loiter 
but driven from the fiel(J with impetuous onslaught and clang of 
trumpets. Be he crow, hawk, or owl, he is escorted to a safe dis- 
tance, sometimes actually ridden by the angry kingbird, who, like 
the scissor-tail, enforces his screams with sharp pecks on the back. 

When there is no one within scrapping distance he may be seen 
perching on a meadow fence or telegraph wire, for he is a bird of 
'the open country. When perched he is on the lookout for insects, 
and dashes out for one to soar back on outspread wings and tail, 
shrieking triumphantly as he comes. His notes have the thin high 
pitch and something of the emphasis and iteration of the coyote. 

448. Tyrannus vociferans Swains. Cassin Kingbird. 

Adults. — Upper parts and breast dark gray, chin abruptly white ; belly 
lemon yellow ; tail dull black indistinctly 
tipped with grayish, outer web of outer feather 
indistinctly edged with grayish ; wing with tips 
of longest primaries abruptly cut out ; crown with 
concealed red patch. Young: duller, wing 
coverts edged with rusty, crown patch wanting. 
Fig. 326. Length : 8.75-9.00, wing 5.00-5.40, tail 3.70- 

4.20, bill from nostril .55-.60. 
Distribution. — Breeds irregularly in Transition, but chiefly in Upper 
and Lower Sonoran zones from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains 
to southern Wyoming, western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and from 
Oregon south to Lower California and the mountams bordering the Mexi- 
can tablelands ; straying south to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — Bulky, of similar; materials to that of verticalis, placed generally 
20 to 40 feet from the ground, near the end of a horizontal limb in syca- 
more, Cottonwood, or other tree. £ggs : 2 to 5, similar to those of Tyran- 
nus tyrannus. 

Food. — Mainly insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, and caterpillars. 

The Cassin kingbird, Major Bendire says, is neither as noisy nor as 
quarrelsome as the Arkansas. Though it nests in the valleys with 




250 FLYCATCHERS 

the Arkansas, it also breeds at higher altitudes, and is, apparently, 
more a bird of the mountains. 

GENUS PITANGUS. 

449. Pitangus derbianus (Kaup). Derby Flycatcher.i 

Bill as long' as head, straight, narrow ; wings rounded ; tail shorter 
than wings, nearly even ; tarsus about as long as middle toe and claw ; 
under parts, except for white throat, and including under wing coverts, 
bright sulphur yellow ; top and sides of head black, separated by white 
line which incloses black crown ; crown erectile, with partly concealed 
vellow center ; rest of upper parts brown, rufous on wings and tail. 
Length: 10-11, wing 4.90-5.10, tail 3.90-4.00, exposed culmen 1.15-1.25. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Central America to the lower Rio Grande 
Valley in Texas ; migrates to northern South America. 

Nest. — Dome-shaped, with entrance on the side, composed of such 
coarse materials as straw and lichens ; placed usually on forks of branches 
or thorny trees, 25 or 30 feet from the ground. Eggs : generally 5, light 
cream color with small reddish specks. 

Food. — Mainly insects, but also small fish — minnows. 

The Derby flycatcher is rather a rare summer visitor in the lower 
Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 

GENUS MYIODYNASTES. 

451. Myiodynastes luteiventris Sd. Sulphuk-bellied Fly- 
catcher. 

Bill turgid, broader than high at nostrils ; wings long and pointed ; 
tail shorter than wings, nearly even ; feet small and weak. Adults : broad 
blackish A from bill inclosing white throat patch ; rest of under parts sul- 
phur yellow, streaked along sides ; upper parts brownish, streaked with black ; 
head with concealed yellow crown patch and white or yellowish bands 
over eye and along sides of throat ; rump and tail bright rufous ; bill very 
broad. Young : without crown patch. Length : 7.75-8.00, wing 4.25-4.60, 
tail 3.30-3.60, bill .80-.90. 

Distribution. — From the mountains of southern New Mexico and Ari- 
zona south to Panama. 

Nest. — 25 to 50 feet from the ground, a hole in a sycamore, lined 
thickly with stems of walnut leaves. Eggs : 3, creamy buff, profusely 
blotched, principally around the larger end, with purple and reddish 
brown. 

Mr. Lusk, who found the sulphur-bellied flycatcher in Arizona, 
states that they frequent streams bordered with large trees. " The 
width and size of their bills, together with their short necks," he 
says, " gives them a peculiar appearance even at a distance." Mr. 
O. W. Howard found the birds very quiet during the breeding sea- 
son, but bold and noisy afterwards. He compares their notes to the 
squeaking of a wheelbarrow. 

1 [450.] Myiozetetes similis superciliosus (Bouai).). Gikaud Flycatcher. This species 
is omitted from doubt of Giraud's Tfixas record. 



FLYCATCHERS 



251 




Fig. 327. Flycatchers. 
1. Crested Flycatcher. 2. Wood Pewee. 3. Phoebe. 
Flycatcher. 

GENUS MYIABCHUS. 



4. Kingbird. 5. Least 




Fig. 328. 



General Characters. — Head slightly crested by length- 
ened erectile feathers ; primaries cut out ; tarsus about 
length of middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Wing 2.90-3.25 ; inner webs of tail feathers chiefly dark brown. Ari- 
zona dlivascens, p. 253. 

1'. Wing 3.40-3.60 ; inner webs of tail feathers chiefly rufous. 
2. Outer tail feather with uniform dark stripe along inner web. 

3. Smaller. Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas . mexicanus, p. 252. 



252 FLYCATCHERS 

3'. Larg-er. Southern Arizona magister, p. 252. 

2'. Outer tail feather without uniform dark stripe along- inner web. 
3. Throat and chest dark ash gray. Eastern United States. 

crinitus, p. 252. 
3'. Throat and chest pale ash gray, throat sometimes whitish. 

4. Outer tail feather with outer web whitish and inner web dusky 

at tip. Colorado to Pacific .... cinerascens, p. 253. 

4'. Outer tail feather without white edge or dusky tip. Southern 

Arizona nuttingi, p. 253. 

452. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). Crested Flycatcher. 

Adults. — Throat and breast dark ash gray ; rest of under parts bright 
sulphur yellow ; upper parts olive ; wings with two whitish bars, primaries 
edged with rufous and tertials with yellowish ; tail with middle feathers 
dusky brown, other feathers with inner webs chiefly reddish brown ; outer 
feather with broad dusky stripe confined to end, if present at all. Young : 
tail with more of reddish brown than in adult. Length : 8.50-9.00, wing 
3.90-4.40, tail 3.50-4.20, bill from nostril .55-.65, tarsus .78-.82. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to 
Manitoba, the Plains, and southwestern Texas ; migrates to Costa Rica, 
Panama, and Colombia. 

Nest. — An old woodpecker hole or natural cavity in a tree or stump, 
lining- varying in bulk and composition but generally containing- snake 
skin. Eggs : 4 to 8, creamy to deep buif , overlaid with irregular blotches 
and longitudinal pen lines in shades of brown and purple. 

Food. — Insects, such as beetles, flies, grasshoppers, butterflies, and lar- 
vae, varied with berries. 

453- Myiarchus raexicanus (Kaup). Mexican Crested Fly- 
catcher. 

Adults : Throat and breast light ash gray, rest of under parts pale sul- 
phur yellow ; upper parts olive, browner on head ; wings with two white 
bars ; primaries edged with reddish brown ; tail with middle feathers 
dusky brown, outer tail feather with a wide dusky streak of uniform width 
along inner side of shaft. Young : with more rufous on tail than in adult. 
Length : 8.50-9.00, wing 3.80-4.20, tail 3.80-4.25, bill from nostril .62-.75, 
tarsus .82-.92. 

Distribution. — Lower Rio Grande Valley south to Guatemala and Sal- 
vador. 

Nest. — In natural cavities or woodpecker holes in stumps, trees, and 
telegraph poles, made of felted strips of bark, hair, feathers, wool, and 
sometimes snake skin. Eggs : 4 to 6, like those of M. crinitus. 

453a. M. m. magister Ridgw. Arizona Crested Flycatcher. 

Like M. mexicanus, but larger. Length : 9.40-10.00, wing 4.04-4.60. tail 
4.10-4.60, bill from nostril .68-.82, tarsus .97-1.02. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern Arizona (and southwestern New 
Mexico ?) to western Mexico ; migrates to Tehuantepec, Mexico. 

Nest. — So far as known, in holes in giant cactus and sycamores, about 
8 feet from the ground, lined with hair and bits of snake and lizard skin. 
Eggs : 3 to 5, like those of M. crinitus. 

Major Bendire writes: "The Arizona crested flycatcher is the 
largest representative of the genus Myiarchus found within our 
borders, and its breeding range seems to be confined mainly to 




ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER 



FLYCATCHERS 253 

the giant cactus belt of southern Arizona, where it appears to be a 
rather irregular summer resident, not uncommon in some seasons 
and rare in others." 

Mr. Stephens found it frequenting low mesquites, and reports that ' 
it was 'tame and rather noisy, having a variety of loud calls, some 
. . . almost thrasher-like.' 

454. Myiarchus cinerascens (Lawr.). Ash-throated Fly- 
catcher. 

Adults. — Throat and chest pale ashy, sometimes almost white on 
throat ; belly pale sulphur yellow ; upper parts grayish brown ; wings 
with two white bars, quills edged with reddish brown, tertials edged with 
white ; tail with middle feathers dusky brown, the rest chiefly brown on 
inner webs ; outer tail feather with inner web dusky at tip, outer web dis- 
tinctly whitish. Young : tail feathers rufous, with dark median stripe. 
Length : 8.00-8.50, wing 3.80-4.25, tail 3.65-4.20, bill from nostril .52-.60, 
tarsus .88-.95. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in the western 
United States from northern Oregon to Mexico, and east to Colorado and 
southwestern Texas ; migrates to Guatemala. 

Nest. — Usually less than 20 feet from the ground in knot-holes of 
mesquite, giant cactus, and trees, in cavities of stumps, woodpecker holes, 
and occasionally behind pieces of bark ; lined with rootlets, grass, dry 
horse manure, hair, fur, and occasionally snake skins. JEggs : 3 to 6, 
creamy to pinkish bu£E, covered with longitudinal streaks and hair lines of 
purple. 

Food. — Mainly ants, grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, butterflies, flies, 
moths, and occasionally berries, especially mistletoe. 

The noisy bickering bee-bird is quite put to shame by the digni- 
fied demeanor of the ash-throated flycatcher, who with raised crest 
and erect carriage goes about his business in a quiet, self-contained 
manner. 

He is a common resident of the desert regions of southern Cali- 
fortiia, Nevada, Utah, and northern Arizona, and where the desert 
mountains do not afford water he sometimes breeds as much as five 
miles away from it, needing less water, perhaps, because his insect 
food affords a good deal of liquid, 

454a. M. c. nuttingi (Ridgw.). Nutting Flycatcher. 

Similar to M. cinerascens, but outer tail feather without either distinctly 
white outer web or dusky tip to inner web ; tail never decidedly shorter 
than wing ; upper tail coverts not distinctly rusty. Wing : 3.40-3.70, tail 
3.35-3.80, bill from nostril .40-.56, tarsus .80-. 88. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona south to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — As described by Dr. Fisher, 4 feet from the ground in an old 
woodpecker hole in a giant cactus, containing 4 eggs, creamy, covered 
with longitudinal purple streaks and hair lines. 

465a. Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens Ridgw. Olivaceous 
Flycatcher. 

Adults. — Head and back olive brown ; wing and tail feathers usually 



254 FLYCATCHERS 

without distinct rusty edg-iiigs and inner webs of tail feathers usually with- 
out rusty edgings. Length : 7.00-7.30, wing 2.90-3.25, tail 3.00-3.2.5, bill 
from nostril .48-.55, tarsus .70-.75. 

Remarks. — The olive coloration is enough to distinguish this fly- 
catcher. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone of Arizona and western 
Mexico ; casual to Fort Lyon, Colorado. 

Nest. — Usually in holes in trees, 15 to 40 feet from the ground, made, 
in two recorded cases, of f vir and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 6, curiously 
marked with fine lines and intricate pencillings of black and various 
shades of purplish brown over huffy or creamy ground. 

The olivaceous flycatcher, which is the smallest of the United 
States species of Myiarchus, lives in brushy canyons in the moun- 
tains of southern Arizona, frequenting the banks of streams, where 
it perches on dead limbs looking for insects. The only note heard 
by Mr. Stephens, who discovered it, was a ' mowcnixA peeur.' 

GENUS SAYORNIS. 

General Characters. — Wing more than 3.25, but not more than five 
times as long as tarsus ; tarsus longer than middle toe with claw ; tail 
emarginate. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail olive gray. Colorado to Atlantic phoebe, p. 254. 

1'. Tail black. 

2. Under parts partly brown saya, p. 255. 

2'. Under parts partly black. 

3. Under tail coverts streaked with black . . . nigricans, p. 255. 
3'. Under tail coverts pure white semiatra, p. 256. 

456. Sayornis phoebe {Lath). Ph(ebe. 

Upper parts olive gray, darker on head ; under parts whitish, tinged 

below with pale yellowish, sides of 
breast with olive gray. Length : 6.25- 
7.00, wing 3.25-3.55, tail 3.00-3.40. 

Distribution. — Breeds chiefly in Tran- 
sition and Upper Sonoran zones in Cast- 
ro ern North America, west to Colo- 
'^aS^A-) rado, south to the Gulf of Mexico : 
"^ winters from the southern Atlantic and 
Gulf states to Mexico and Cuba ; re- 
^ corded from Los Angeles Co., Calif or- 
Z-^^^^Z nia, in winter. 

Nest. — A bulky felted mass, made 
r S^^^^^ W-v V' <& / largely of mosses and lined with f eath- 

*S^*^^ ers ; attached to rocks, bridges, and 

^/ ' beams of buildings. Eggs : 3 to 8, 

rromB,olog,ca^i^Survey,U S Dept of ^^.^^^ sometimes finely but Sparsely 

Fig. 329. speckled around larger end with 

brownish. 
Food. — Chiefly injurious insects. 

The habits of the phoebe are very similar to those of the black 




FLYCATCHERS 255 

phoebe, but the names ' house ' and ' barn ' pewee apply better to it, 
and more popular affection attaches to this confiding bird than to its 
handsome western relative. It builds under bridges and culverts 
most frequently, but barns and sheds, piazza crotches, and window 
sills all offer it congenial homes. 

Its nest, found year after year in the same place or only a rafter 
away, though big and loosely put together, seems a marvel of 
beauty with its touches of green moss. The bird herself with her 
plain voice, jerky motions, and abrupt manners but homely virtues 
comes to hold a place in our affections that no bickering, domineer- 
ing vociferaiis could ever hope to win. 

457. Sayornis saya (Bonap.). Say Phcbbe. 

Adults. — Anterior lower parts grayish, posterior tawny brownish ; upper 
parts dark gray, wing quills and tail black. Young : like adults, but wing 
coverts tipped with brown. Length : 7.50-8.05, wing 3.90-4.25, tail 3.35- 
3.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Arctic Circle in Alaska south to Lower 
California, and from western Nebraska and Kansas west to the Pacific ; 
migrates to Oaxaca, Mexico. 

Nest. — Under bridges, about barns and houses, in caves, or wells, and 
under shelves of cliifs ; made of materials such as weed stems, grasses, 
moss, wool, hair, cocoons, and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 6, white, sometimes 
finely dotted with reddish brown about the larger end. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, crickets, weevils, beetles, flies, moths, butterflies, 
and other insects. 

The Say flycatcher of the brown belly and black tail is the com- 
monest of the western flycatchers, nesting not only about every cattle 
ranch, stage station, and mining camp, but at the Arctic Circle and 
on the deserts of the southwestern United States, where it builds in 
caves with wood rats and on cliffs with the prairie falcon. 

In rocky canyons it may be seen perched on boulders darting out 
after passing insects. On the Plains, where it flits silently from bush 
to bush, at a distance its black tail and dull colors would often lead 
you to mistake it for the omnipresent Amphispiza but for its plain- 
tive phee-eur. Besides this note, during the nesting season it is said 
to have a plaintive twittering warble. 

Saya is a true flycatcher, and Major Bendire has seen it catch good- 
sized grasshoppers on the wing. He calls attention to its power, 
which many of the flycatchers share with the haWks and owls, of 
ejecting indigestible parts of its food in the form of pellets. 

458. Sayornis nigricans (Swains.). Black Phcebe. 

Adults. — Black, except for white belly, outer web of outer tail feathers, 
edges of inner secondaries, and under tail coverts which are white striped 
with dusky. Young : head and neck" sooty black ; wing bands and bend of 
wing rusty ; back, rump, and edges of black on breast washed with brown- 
ish. Length : 6.25-7.00, wing 3.55-3.80, tail 3.45-3.75. 



256 FLYCATCHERS 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from Texas to eastern 
Arizona and south through Mexico, except Yucatan and the Pacific coast 
north of Coliraa. 

Nest. — A wall pocket made of small pellets of mud mixed with dried 
grass, weed fibers, and hair, placed in wells and on sides of buildings and 
cliffs. Eggs: 3 to 6, white, or finely dotted with reddish brown around 
the larger end. 

Food. — Insects and wild berries. 

The sharply contrasted black and white plumage of the black 
phoebe of whichever form make him the handsomest of the common 
flycatchers. He is not averse to civilization and may be met com- 
monly just off the highways usually near water, I have found him 
in a San Francisco cemetery, in Sutro Heights Park, in Pasadena, 
bathing in a reservoir beside the street, and in Santa Cruz perched 
on the tip of a century plant leaf in front of a hotel. He has all the 
flycatcher mannerisms, and as he sits watching for insects jets his 
tail and quivers his wings at his sides, darts out with a liquid hip', a 
rising kee-ree', and falling kee-wray' , snaps up an insect, and settles 
back again on his perch. 

At Twin Oaks, California, I found the phoebes nesting in a deserted 
well and also inside a whitewashed chicken house, and was told of 
their having built under the eaves of a kitchen, the pair getting 
their meals about the fly screens before the window. Such centers of 
civilization are not always chosen by them, however, and I have 
found them in the foothills of the Sierra and in a narrow lonely 
canyon of the mountains of southern California, where their wall- 
pocket nest was fastened against a cliff behind a hanging vine. 

458a. S. n. seraiatra (Vigors). Western Black 
Phcebe. 
Similar to S. nigricans but under tail coverts pure 
white. 

Distribution. — Mainly in Lower Sonoran zone on the 
Pacific coast, from Oregon to Colima, Mexico ; also most 
of Arizona. 

Food. — Largely winged insects. 



GENUS CONTOPUS. 

General Characters. — Feet extremely small ; wing at least six times as 
long as tarsus ; tarsus not longer than bill, but longer than 
A middle toe with claw, or with a conspicuous white cottony 
patch on each side of rump. 
Fig. 331. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Length 7.10-8.00. 

2. With conspicuous white cottony tufts on sides of rump ; under parts 

without yellow bore alls, p. 257. 

2'. Without cottony rump tufts ; belly yellowish. Arizona. 

pallidiventris, p. 'if^ 





FLYCATCHERS 257 

r. Length 5.90-6.75. 

2. Wing-s and tail shorter. Western Nebraska to Atlantic. 

virens, p. 258. 
2'. Wing-s and tail longer. Plains to Pacific . . richardsonii, p. 258. 

Subgenus Nuttallornis. 

459. Contopus borealis (Swains.). Olwe-sided Flycatcher. 

Adults. — Under parts with whitish median tract between dark, somewhat 
streaked lateral parts, white sometimes 
faintly tinged with yellow ; upper parts 
sooty, conspicuous tuft of white cottony 
feathers on sides of rump (usually con- ___^ 

cealed by wings). Young: similar, but Fig. 332. 

wing coverts tipped with buffy, or brown- 
ish instead of white. Length : 7. 10-7.90 ; wing 3.90-4.50, tail 2.80-3.50, 
exposed culmen .58-.70, tarsus .55-.60. 

Remarks. — This is the only Contopus that has white cottony tufts on the 
sides of the rump, or first quill longer than fourth. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone forests of North America from 
Hudson Bay south through the higher parts of the United States ; mi- 
grates to Central America, Colombia, and northern Peru. 

Nest. — Small, of wiry materials fastened skillfully to branches of conif- 
erous trees, 40 to 60 feet from the ground. Eggs : usually 3, creamy, gen- 
erally wreathed with spots of brown and lavender. 

Food. — Winged insects, such as beetles, butterflies, moths, gadflies, and 
grasshoppers. 

In the high Sierra as in the Canadian forests throughout the United 
States the pu-pip' of the olive-sided calls your attention to a solitary 
bird with a dark gray breast and white median line, perched on the 
tip of an evergreen spire. Its body is quiet, but its head is turning 
from side to side, and suddenly it launches into the air, catches an 
insect, turns, and with wings and tail spread sails back to its perch. 

It calls a great deal in the twilight, and in the fir belt of Mt. 
Shasta, where its voice is one of the commonest forest sounds, as the 
evening shadows gathered over the noble trees under which we were 
camped, the mellow pu-pip', pu-pu-pio' , pu-pip\ pu-pu-pio\ came 
down to us in soothing cadence till the camp-fire shone in the dark- 
ness. 

Subgenus Contopus. 

460. Contopus pertinax pallidiventris Chapm. Coues Fly- 

catcher. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish brown, tinged with olive ; under parts nearly 
uniform olive gray, chin slightly whitish, belly and under tail coverts dull 
yellowish ; first quill much shorter than 
fourth. Young : similar, but wing cov- 
erts tipped with buffy or brownish. 
Length: 7.70-8.00, wing 3.80-4.45, tail 
3.60-3.90. ^-^^ 

Remarks. — The Coues flycatcher is 
about the size of the olive-sided, but its under parts are strikingly uniform 




258 FLYCATCHERS 

compared with those of borealis, in which the dark sides are sharply con- 
trasted with the white median line ; it also lacks the conspicuous cottony 
rump tufts of borealis. 

Distribution. — From mountains of central and southern Arizona, south 
through northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — As far as known, of grass tops, moss, lichens, catkins, leaves, 
spider's web, fragments of insects and their exuviae, placed on an oak or 
pine branch 15 to 20 feet from the ground. Eggs : On one record, 8, cream 
buff, spotted in a ring around the larger end with brown and lilac gray. 

Food. — Flies, beetles, and other insects. 

In the mountains of southern Arizona Mr. Henshaw found the 
Coues flycatcher in the pines or in rocky gulches of mixed pine and 
oak, launching out from the branches, circling around the high pine 
stubs, and making the sudden erratic flights from point to point 
vsrhich are especially characteristic of the species. 

Its notes, though similar to those of the olive-sided flycatcher, 
Mr. Henshav^ says, can easily be distinguished from them, the last 
syllable being prolonged and raised. 

461. Contopus virens (Xi/jn.). Wood Pewee. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish brown, tinged ivith olive ; two wing bars 
dull whitish ; under parts whitish., more or less washed with olive gray 
and tinged with pale yellowish ; wing at least six times as long as tarsus, 
tarsus longer than middle toe with claw; exposed culmen much less than 
twice the width of bill at nostrils. Young : with huffy or brownish wing 
bars. Length 5,90-6.50, wing S. 00-3. ^5, tail £.60-2.90, exposed culmen 
.43-.52, width of bill at base .24-.30, tarsus .48-.53. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern provinces of Canada to Florida, 
and from the Atlantic Avest to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas ; mi- 
grates through eastern Mexico to South America. 

Nest. — Usually in deciduous trees 5 to 50 feet from the ground, made 
largely of plant fibers, rootlets, and moss, coated with lichen. Eggs : 2 to 
4, white, irregularly wreathed around larger end with browns and purples. 

Food. — Insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, and caterpillars. 

The w^ood pewee is sometimes met with west of the hundredth 
meridian in Texas, and though it is almost indistinguishable from its 
western congener in coloration and habit, its notes identify it the 
instant they reach the ear. The call of the western is a common- 
place pueer, but that of the wood pewee is a plaintive musical 
pee-ah-wee. 

462. Contopus richardsonii (-Swams.). Western Wood Pewee.^ 
Adults. — Upper parts dark grayish brown ; under parts heavily washed 

with dark gray ; belly and under tail coverts whitish 
or pale yellowish ; wing at least six times as long as 

tarsus ; tarsus longer than middle toe with claw ; ex- 

posed culmen ranch less than twice the width of bill. Fig. 3;U. 

' Contopus richardsonii saturates Bishop. Alaskan Wood Pewee. 
Like richardsonii but darker, witli smaller bill. 

Distribution. — Yukon Valley, southern Alaska and British Columbia, near the coast 
in summer, migrating south through California. (The Auk, xvii. 116.) 



FLYCATCHERS 259 

at nostril. Young : with buffy or brownish wing bars. Length : 6.20-6.75, 
wing 3.15-3.55, tail 2.50-2.95] exposed culmen .44-.51, width of bill at base 
.27-.32. tarsus .49-56. 

Remarks. — In richardsonii the wing-s and tail are slightly longer than 
in C. virens. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from the 
Plains to the Pacific, and from the interior of British America to Lower 
California ; migrates to South America. 

Nest. — Saddled on horizontal limb of orchard or forest tree, 6 to 40 
feet from the ground^ made of wood, plant fibers, down, inner bark, sage, 
and grass tops, rarely lined with a few feathers, and sometimes covered 
with spider's web. Eggs : 2 to 4, white, irregularly wreathed around the 
larger end with blotches and minute specks of brown and purple. 

Food. — Flies and other insects, with a few wild berries. 

In the lower Canadian zone forests the western wood pewee is 
frequently met with, and in the Murray pine meadows of the Sierra 
is one of the commonest birds seen. It sits with its long thin body 
erect, and as it watches for insects gives its quiet call, well rendered 
by Dr. Merrill as ttceer or deer. In Arizona its setting is altogether 
different, mesquite and yucca stalks being its principal perches. 

GEinJS EMPIDONAX. 

General Characters. — Wing less than .3.25, not more than f'^\ { 
five times as long as tarsus. / 

Fig. 335. 
KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts buffy. Arizona and New Mexico . . pygmaeus, p. 263. 
1'. Under parts whitish or sxdphur yellow. 

2. Width of bill at nostrils decidedly greater than half the 
exposed culmen. 

3. Under parts wholly yellowish or brownish. ^^' ^^^' 
4. Under parts darker, washed with brown . . diflicilis. p. 260. 
4'. Under parts lighter, with little or no brown wash. Santa Bar- 
bara Islands insulicola, p. 260. 

3'. Under parts partly white. 

4. Wing 2.30-2.60 ; tail distinctly emarginate. Rocky Mountains 

to Atlantic minimus, p. 261. 

4'. Wing 2.60-3.00 ; tail even or slightly rounded. 

5. Colors weaker ; bill longer and narrower . . traillii, p. 260. 
5'. Colors stronger ; bill shorter and broader. Eastern. 

alnorum, p. 261. 
2 . Width of bill at nostrils not greater than half the exposed culmen. 



3. Bill narrower hammondi, p. 262. 

3'. Bill broader. Fig. 337. 

4. Under mandible blackish . . . wrightii, p. 262. 

4'. Under mandible flesh-colored, tipped with black. I^g- 338. 
Mountains of southern Arizona griseus, p. 26t 




260 FLYCATCHERS 

464. Empidonax difB.cilis Baird. Western Flycatcher. 

Adults. — Upper parts olivaceous (brownish in winter), wing bars dull 

buffy (brighter in winter); under parts dull yellow,' shaded 

with brown across breast, brightening to sulphur yellow on 

belly and under tail coverts ; under wing coverts buffy, 

deepening to ochraeeous on edge of wing ; width of bill at 

// nostrils decidedly greater than half the length of exposed 

'' culmen. Young: similar, but browner above, with wing 

bands yellowish brown or rusty buff, sulphur yellow of belly 

replaced by dull white. Length : 5. .50-6.00. Male : wing 

±ig. 339. 2.50-2.90, tail 2.35-2.60, bill .57-.63, bill from nostril .29- 

.33, width at base .25-.28, tarsus .64-.69. Female : wing 2.30-2.60, tail 

2.20-2.45. 

Remarks. — .The distinct yellow tone of the under parts distinguishes 
difficilis from all western flycatchers. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones from the east- 
ern foothills of the Rocky Mountains and adjacent ranges to the Pacific, 
and from southern Alaska south to northern Lower California ; migrates 
to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — Usually not far from water, in alders, trees, stumps, roots, under 
stream banks, on rock ledges, in natural cavities, or about buildings ; 
made of plant stems and fibers, down, inner bark, rootlets, leaves, and 
moss, lined with horsehair and feathers, often coated with green moss. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, white, blotched and spotted with brown and buff pink. 
Food. — Largely injurious insects. 

The western flycatcher is a widely distributed bird, as Mr. Allen 
says, shade apparently being its principal requirement, for it ranges 
from the lowlands almost to timberline. It is said to have a song 
and a sweet call, beside a sharp chirp uttered when angry or 
frightened. 

464.2. Empidonax insulicola Oberh. Santa Barbara Fly- 
catcher. 

Adult male. — Upper parts olive brown, slightly darker on head and 
paler and more greenish on rump ; wings with two conspicuous brownish 
white bars ; throat grayish, faintly washed with yellow : rest of under parts 
straw yellow, slightly tinged on breast and sides with olive brown. Wing : 
2.68, tail 2.40, exposed culmen .47, tarsus .88. 

Remarks. — E. insulicola differs from F. difficilis in its darker upper 
parts and paler under parts, the breast having little of the brown wash of 
difficilis. 

Distribution. — Santa Barbara Islands, California. 

Nest. — In the side of a cliff, a cave, or pocket in a boulder, made of 
strips of bark and vegetable fibers. Fggs : 2 or 3, white or creamy, dotted 
with reddish about the larger end. 

466. Empidonax traillii (Aud.). Traill Flycatcher. 

Width of bill at nostrils decidedly greater than half the length of ex- 
posed culmen. Adults: eye ring whitish; upper parts olive, darker on head 
from dusky centers of coronal feathers ; wing bars varying from brownish 
to whitish ; under parfs white, shaded with gray across breast, tinged with 
yellow beneath ; under wing coverts yellowish white. Young : browner 
above, yellower beneath ; wing bands buff or yellowish brown. Male : length 



FLYCATCHERS 261 

5.80-6.25, wing 2.70-2.85, tail 2.35-2.60, bill .64-.73, bill from nostril .35- 
.40, width at base .27-31, tarsus .65-.72. Female : length 5.55-6.00, wing 
2.55-2.65, tail 2.20-2.50. 

Remarks. — The wide bill, whitish under parts, and olive or olive brown 
— not greenish — upper parts are characteristic. 

Distribution. — Western North America from the Mississippi valley to 
the Pacific, and from the Mackenzie River valley south to Mexico. 

Nest. — In low shrubs or bushes near water, 1 to 6 feet from the ground, 
made of dry grasses, pine needles, shreds of bark, and plant fibers, lined 
with fibers, bark, grass tops, fern down, and horsehair. Eggs : 2 to 4, 
white or pinkish buff, marked with dots or blotches of brown, mostly 
about the larger end. 

Food. — Largely caterpillars, moths, ants, grasshoppers, and other 
harmful insects. 

The Traill flycatcher is said by Major Bendire to be especially fond 
of ' willow-covered islands, and the shrubbery along watercourses, 
beaver meadows, and the borders of the more open mountain 
parks,' where it sometimes reaches an altitude of 8000 feet, espe- 
cially in Colorado, Utah, and California. Its note, given in the 
breeding season, is described by Professor Cooke as a shrill hurried 
'pree-pe-deer,' characteristic of the energetic, aggressive disposition 
of the bird. In hunting, Mr. Ridgway says, it never stays long in 
one place, but moves from perch to perch, snapping up insects as it 
flies. 

466a. E. t. alnorum Brewst. Alder Flycatcher. 

Similar to Traill flycatcher, but averaging more olivaceous above and 
more yellow below, the bill shorter and broader and tarsus shorter. Male : 
wing 2.60-3.00, tail 2.40-2.60, bill .60-.64, bill from nostril .32-.37, width 
at base .29-.30, tarsus .64-.67. Female : wing 2.50-2.65, tail 2.25-2.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone in eastern North America from 
New England west to western Nebraska ; migrates to Central America. 

Nest and eggs. — Like those of the Traill flycatcher. 

467. Erapidonax minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher. 

Width of bill at nostril decidedly greater than half the length of ex- 
posed culmen ; tail slightly emarginate. Adults : upper parts dark olive ; 
wing bars whitish ; throat whitish ; chest washed with gray ; belly faintly 
tinged with pale yellowish. Young : like adults but more olive, and wing 
bars brown. Male : length 4.90-5.50, wing 2.30-2.60, tail 2.10-2.40, bill 
.53-.59, bin from nostril .27-.31, width at base .23-27, tarsus .59-.68. 
Female .; wing 2.20-2.40, tafl 2.10-2.25. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Boreal zones in eastern North 
America from about latitude 63° south to the northern United States ; 
and from the Atlantic west to eastern Colorado and Montana (casually 
to Utah) ; migrates to Central America and Panama. 

Nest. — Compactly made of shreds of bark, plant fibers, dry grasses, 
weeds, cocoons, and down, placed usually in bushes or trees in an upright 
fork from 8 to 25 feet from the ground. Eggs: 3 to 6, white, unspotted. 

Food. — Insects. 

The che-beck' of the friendly little flycatcher, heard from choke- 




262 FLYCATCHERS 

cherry thickets in canyons or more commonly from orchards and 
villages, is pleasantly associated with a fluffy, white-breasted little 
figm-e flitting about among leafy branches, snapping its bill and 
shaking its wings and tail in its flycatching. Like most of its rela- 
tives it makes up for lack of song by a variety of pleasing little 
conversational notes and twitterings. 

468. Empidonax hammondi (Xantus). Hammond Flycatcher, 

Adult.<;. — Upper parts grayish olive, grayer anteriorly ; wing- bars whit- 
ish or yellowish ; outer tail feather more or 
less edged with whitish ; throat g'rayish ; breast 
olivaceous, almost as dark as back ; belly and 
Fio^. 340. under tail coverts yellowish ; width of bill at 

nostrils less than half the exposed culmen. 
Young : ting'ed with brown, wing- bars yellowish brown. Male : length 
5.50-5.75, wing- 2.60-2.80, tail 2.80-2.50, bill .53-.59, bill from 
nostril .26-.29, width at base, .22-.24, tarsus .60-. 68. Female : 
leng-th 5.25, wing- 2.45-2.75, tail 2.15-2.40. 

Remarks. — Hammondi has the smallest and narrowest 
bill of any of the genus Empidonax exceipt fulvifrons and/. 
pygmcea, and it differs from them by having- a dark chest 
band. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones ^,. ^.^ 
of western North America east to the eastern slopes of the 
Rocky Mountains and adjoining- rang-es, and from Lesser Slave Lake and 
interior of Alaska south probably to mountains of Arizona and New Mex- 
ico ; migrates to Lower California and southern Mexico. 

Nest. — In willows, cottonwoods, or aspens, or on horizontal limbs of 
pine or fir, 2 to 50 feet from the ground ; made of plant stems and fibers, 
bark, and down, sometimes lined with grass-tops, hair, feathers, scales of 
conifer buds, and hypnum moss Eggs : usually 3 or 4, creamy white, 
g-enerally unspotted, or if spotted, minutely so, with brown around the 
larg-er end. 

Food. — Insects, especially ants. 

In northern Idaho Dr. Merrill found hammondi more abundant 
than in Montana or Oregon, and as common among young cotton - 
woods and willows along rivers and near swamps as in dry woods 
among pines, its notes being heard almost everywhere. Mr. Daw- 
son gives its notes as a • brisk sewick, sewick, and at rarer intervals 
switch-oo, or swecehoo. ' 

469. Empidonax wrightii Baird. Wright Flycatcher. 
Similar to hammondi, but bill wider, plumag-e grayer above, whiter below, 

throat often whitisli ; outer web of outer tail feather abruptly 
paler than inner web, usually whitish. Length: 5.75-6.40. 
Male : wing 2.70-2.95, tail 2.55-2.80, bill .62-69, bill from 
nostril .32-.3S, width at base .24-.27, tarsus .71-.77. Female : 
wing 2.55-2.75, tail 2.50-2.65. 

Remarks. — The white outer tail feather and light breast 
distinguish wrightii from hammondi, for though hammondi 
Fig. 342. often has a white edge to its tail feather its chest band is 
dark gray. 




FLYCATCHERS 263 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones in British Co- 
lumbia and the western United States from Oregon and Montana to the 
eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and south to New Mexico and Ari- 
zona ; migrates to Lower California and southern Mexico. 

Nest. — Fastened to twigs or against the trunk of saplings, or in up- 
right forks of bushes from 2 to 18 feet from the ground, made of plant 
fibers and strips of bark, partially lined with feathers, hair, and some- 
times tree moss. Eggs : 3 to 5, dull white, unspotted. 

Food. — Lisects, spiders, and caterpillars. 

In the Great Basin country wrightii is as much at home in the 
sagebrush as most other species of Eirfpidonax are in shady woods 
or around grassy meadows. His trim little form is often noticed on 
top of a sagebrush by the roadside, sometimes far from water, but 
more often within reach of pond or stream. A favorite place for 
the nest is in the fork of a sage. 

When found in the mountains wrightii is usually in the open or 
half forested parks, brushy slopes, old burnings, or edges of aspen 
croves. Vernon Bailey. 

469.1. Empidonax griseus Brewst. Gkay Flycatchek. 

Nearest to wrightii, but larger and much grayer, washed with darker on 
chest ; bill longer, basal half of lower mandible flesh colored in strong 
contrast to blackish tip. 

Distribution- — From the southern part of California and Arizona 
through Lower California and Sonora, Mexico, to the southern end of the 
tablelands. 

Nest and eggs. — Unknown. 

In Mr. Grinnell's list of the birds of Los Angeles County he gives 
some interesting records for the little known gray flycatcher. He 
thinks it can be found in some parts of the county throughout the 
year. A few specimens have been taken in fall, winter, and spring 
near Pasadena and El Monte, and in July Mr. Grinnell found it at 
an altitude of from 7500 to 8500 feet on the side of Mt. Waterman. 
There, he says, it was 'not uncommon though very shy, keeping 
in the tallest pines on the mountain sides.' He secured full fledged 
young as early as July 11. 

470a. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmseus (Coues). * Buff- 

BBEASTED FLYCATCHER. 

Adults. — Upper parts dull grayish brown ; wing bars grayish ; under 
parts pale huffy, washed with ochraceous on breast and sides. Young : 
wing bands buff ; lower parts paler and duller. Length : 4.75-5.10, wing 
2.20-2.45, tail 1.95-2.14, bill.50-.55, bill from nostril .25-.27, width at base 
.20-.22, tarsus .51-. 60. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southwestern New Mexico and Arizona 
south to western Mexico. 

Nest. — In forks or on branches 30 to 50 feet from the ground, about 
the size and shape of a blue-gray gnatcatcher's ; made of bits of soft leaves, 



264 FLYCATCHERS 

fine straws, and rootlets, lined with fine fibers. Eggs : 3 or 4, oval, buff 
or dull white. 

Mr. R. D. Lusk, who discovered the nest of the buff -breasted in 
the Chiricahua Mountains, found the bird well named, the bright 
Arizona sunlight bringing out the buff of its breast. He says that 
the soft pit, pit', of a pair he was watching was varied by a great 
number of other notes, among them the chicky-wJiew of the male. 

GENUS PYROCEPHALUS. 

471. Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus {ScL). Vermilion 
Flycatcher. 

Head of male with full rounded crest ; bill slender, narrow at base much 
as in Sayornis ; tail nearly even, o£ broad feathers ; tarsus scarcely long-er 
than middle toe with claw. Adult male : erectile crown and under parts 
brilliant scarlet ; upper parts grayish brown, darker on wings and tail. 
Adult female : upper parts brownish gray ; under parts whitish, breast 
streaked with gray; belly tinged with yellow, salmon, or red. Immature 
male : like adult female, but with red appearing in crown and on breast. 
Young : upper parts brownish gray, feathers edged with whitish ; under 
parts whitish, streaked across breast, without reddish tinge on belly. A 
rare melanistic phase of plumage is uniform dark brown tinged in male 
with wine purple on crown and lower parts. Length : 5.50-6.25, wing 3.20- 
3.40, tail 2.60-2.80. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran and Tropical zones from south- 
western Utah through southern New Mexico, Arizona, southwestern Texas, 
southern California, and Lower California to Central America : accidental 
in Florida. 

Nest. — Frail and flimsy, made of short twigs, cocoons, down, plant 
tops and fiber, lined with feathers, wool, hair, fur, or down, saddled on a 
horizontal fork 6 to 50 feet from the ground in mesquite, palo verde, Cot- 
tonwood, oak, and rarely willow. Eggs : 2 or 3, cream or buff, marked most 
heavily about the larger end with bold irregular blotches and spots of 
brown and purple. 

Food. — Insects, including grasshoppers and small beetles. 

Of all the rare Mexican birds seen in southern Arizona and Texas 
the vermilion flycatcher is the gem, his brilliant scarlet body glow- 
ing red even in the dim twilight. 

In an 'oak mott' of southern Texas, where we found jackdaws 
and scissor-tail flycatchers, the little Pyroc62:)lialus was at home the 
last of April, so he doubtless nested there too. One of his favorite 
perches was a dead oak twig close to the ground, and in making his 
sallies for insects he swept out over the flower-covered field we were 
trying to photograph, his image in the camera more beautiful than 
the flowers themselves. 

When flycatching he often hovered over the grass in the regula- 
tion flycatcher way, but besides he had a unique nuptial performance 
of his own. When high in the air he would puff out the red feath- 
ers of his breast and hold himself up, twittering volubly as long as 



LARKS 265 

he coiild hover, then with a fine ecstasy come floating back to the 
field like a ball of down. 

His usual twitter was like that of the wood pewee, a conversa- 
tional aside. His call-notes were persistent and quite loud. For so 
small a flycatcher he took a surprisingly distinct part in the noisy 
jackdaw and scissor-tail chorus. 

GENUS ORNITHION. 

General Characters. — Bill curved, compressed, almost without bristles ; 
tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Smaller and browner imberbe, p. 265. 

1. Larger and grayer ridgwayi, p. 265. 

472. Ornithion imberbe {ScL). Beardless Flycatchek. 

Adults. — Upper parts plain brownish gray; wings with light edgings; 
under parts grayish white, tinged with yellow. Young : under parts buffy. 
Length : 4.50, wing 2.10-2.15, tail 1.70-1.95, bill .39-.40. 

Distribution. — From lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas to Central 
America. 

472a. O. i. ridgwayi Brewst. Ridgway Flycatcher. 

Like imberbe, but larger, grayer, and with under parts almost or wholly 
without yellow. Length : 4.30-4.80, wing 2.04-2.28, tail 1.78-2.02, bill 
.40-.42. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona south through western Mexico to 
Mazatlau. 

"Mr. Stephens found the curious little bird at Tucson. . . . The 
males had a habit of perching on the tops of the tallest trees in the 
vicinity of their haunts, and at sunrise occasionally uttered a singu- 
lar song which Mr. Stephens transcribes as ' yoop-yoop-yoop eedeedledee,' 
the first half given very deliberately, the remainder rapidly." (Ben- 
dire.) 

FAMILY ALAUDIDiE: LARKS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Crown with blunt erectile crest Alauda, p. 265. 

1'. Crown with horn-like tufts of black feathers . . OtOCOris, p. 266. 

GENUS ALAUDA. 

[473.] Alauda arvensis Linn. Skylark. 

Wing with spurious primary ; tail deeply emarginate ; tarsus equal to 
middle toe and claw. Adults : Upper parts light brownish, streaked with 
black ; wings dusky, feathers bordered with brown ; tail with outer feath- 
ers white, dusky along edge of inner web ; under parts and superciliary 
whitish ; chest pale tawny, streaked ; ear coverts brownish, sometimes 
blackish along upper margin. Adults in winter: plumage more tawny 
and feathers of crown and back with more or less whitish margins. Young : 
tawny, with white margins to feathers of upper parts conspicuous, marked 
with a subterminal spot of brown ; tertials widely bordered with bufify, 



266 LARKS 

edged inside with dark brown ; chest brownish bufPy, indistinctly streaked 
or spotted with tawny. 

Distribution. — Europe and portions of Asia and Africa ; introduced and 
naturalized in Oregon. 

Nest. — On ground in meadows or open grassy places. Eggs : 3 to 6, 
buffy whitish or pale grayish brown, thickly speckled with brown. 

GENUS OTOCOBIS. 

General Characters. — Crown with horn-like erectile tufts ; primaries 
apparently only nine; tail nearly even ; bill conoid, acute; tarsus round 
behind, in young divided into plates on back ; hind claw equal to or longer 
than its toe, nearly straight. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES IN SUMMER. 




Fig. 343. 

1. Size large ; breeding north of the United States. 
2. Throat white ; south in winter to Utah . . . arcticola, p. 266. 
2'. Throat yellowish ; south in winter to Kansas and Nevada, hoyti, p. 269. 
1'. Size smaller ; breeding in the United States. 
2. Upper parts pale grayish brown or pinkish. 

3. Upper parts exceedingly pale. Colorado desert, pallida, p. 268. 
3'. Upper parts not exceedingly pale. 

4. Superciliary yellow. Coast of Texas. . . . giraudi, p. 268. 
4'. Superciliary white. 

5. Back darker ; size smaller. Eastern . praticola, p. 267. 
5'. Back paler ; size larger. 

6. Pinkish of nape contrasting with, back. Great Plains and 

Great Basin leucolsema, p. 267. 

6'. Pinkish of nape shading gradually into back. New Mex- 
ico and Arizona bccidentalis, p. 269. 

2'. Upper parts not pale grayish or pinkish. 
3. Back sharply contrasting with nape. 

4. Back brownish. Southern California .... actia, p. 268. 
4'. Back blackish. 

5. Back of neck pinkish. Plains of Columbia . merrilli, p. 268. 
5'. Back of neck ruddy brown. 

6. Darker. Santa Barbara Islands . . insularis, p. 269. 
6'. Lighter. Coast region, British Columbia to California. 

strigata, p. 268. 
3'. Back not sharply contrasted with nape. 

4. Nape bright brick red. Sacramento Valley . rubea, p. 268. 
4'. Nape pinkish. Southern Arizona adusta, p. 268. 

474a. Otocoris alpestris arcticola Oherh. Alaska Horned 
Lark. 

Like leucolcema but larger, with white throat, brownish streaked back, 
and more pinkish nape. 

Distribution. — Alaska, south in winter to Oregon, Utah, and Montana. 




LARKS 267 

474b. O. a. praticola Hensh. Prairie Horned Lark. 

" Like leucolcema but darker, less ochraceous above, the superciliary 
Sitripe visually without yellow." (Oberholser.) 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern Canada to Pennsylvania and Kansas, 
and from Maine to eastern Nebraska ; migrates to the Carolinas and Texas ; 
casually west to Colorado and Arizona. 

474c. O. a. leucolsema (Coues). Desert Horned Lark. 

Adult male in breeding plumage. — Front of crown, horn-like tufts, lores, 
cheeks, and shield on breast black ; back of head and neck, upper tail 
coverts, and bend of wing, pinkish cinna- 
mon ; forehead, superciliary stripe, and ear 
coverts white, eyebrow usually yellowish ; 
throat yellowish white ; rest of under parts 

white, sides and flanks shaded with cinna- „. „.. t, n-j x? ir i 

,, j^ J- J ■ 1 7 • 7 Fig. 344. Pallid Horned Lark. 

mon. Adult jemale in breeding plumage : 

like adult male, but black of head replaced by brownish and buffy ; back 
of neck, beild of wing-, and upper tail coverts, cinnamon without pinkish 
tinge ; back of neck narrowly streaked ; superciliary and ear coverts buffy ; 
sides and flanks streaked with dusky. Adult male in winter plumage : like 
summer male, but upper parts more uniform, the brownish areas more 
pinkish, on back of head and neck almost hidden by grayish tips to feath- 
ers ; superciliary yellowish ; throat deeper yellow ; black areas obscured ; 
breast tinged with buff and spotted with dusky ; sides and flanks darker. 
Young : upper parts brownish, feathers with subterminal bar of brown and 
spot or bar of white or buffy ; superciliary buffy, throat and sides of head 
spotted. Male : length 7.50-8.00, wing 4.30-4.65, tail 2.85-3.20. Female : 
wing 4.00-4.20, tail 2.60-2.80. 

Distribution. — Great Plains and Great Basin of the United States, south 
in winter to northern Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground, made of fine hay, lined sometimes with deer 
hair. Eggs : 3 or 4, grayish or greenish marked variably with shades of 
brown. 

In following the roads that lead on and on through the limitless 
stretches of brown barren plains in the west the monotony of the 
way is often relieved by the grateful sight of a little companion way- 
farer with back colored to match the soil and black horns that set 
off its delicate tints perching confidently beside the road, pattering 
fearlessly along ahead of your horse, or feeding and singing in the field 
as you pass. A quaint ditty theirs is, but it lends cheer and bright- 
ness to your journey. It is rendered with great good heart, the 
little larks springing up from the ground and singing as they hold 
themselves on fluttering wings in the air and sunshine. In the nest- 
ing season, they sing a rapturous love-song, sometimes flying up 
quite out of sight and circling around in the air for several minutes, 
stopping on poised wing for an outpouring of song. 

The larks cover so much country that they meet with varied con- 
ditions, the northern ones encountering snow, and the Mexican ones 
such intense desert heat that they are sometimes seen with mouths 
open standing in rows in the shade of fence posts and weeds. 



268 LARKS 

474d. O. a. giraudi Hensh. Texan Horned Lakk. 

Upper parts grayish (especially in female) ; male with superciliary, 
throat, and breast usually pale yellow, hreast usually marked with gray- 
ish brown in both sexes. Male : length 6.50-6.75, wing about 3.80-3.85, 
tail 2.60. Female : length 5.80-6.00, wing about 3.50, tail 2.35. 

Distribution. — Coast region of Texas and northeastern Tamaulipas, from 
Galveston Bay to the Rio Grande region. 

474e. O. a. actia Oberh. Califoknia Horned Lark. 

Upper parts rufescent ; nape, shoulders, and rump pinkish, in contrast 
to back ; forehead, superciliary, and throat pale yellow ; rest of under 
parts white. Male : wing 3.70-4.05, tail 2.44-2.75. 

Distribution. — Southern California, including Mohave Desert, Owen 
Valley, and San Joaquin Valley. 

474f. O. a. rubea Hensh. Ruddy Horned Lark. 

Back of head and neck brick red, rest of upper parts sufEused with red ; 
forehead, superciliary, and throat yellowish ; sides marked with reddish 
brown. Male : length 6.50-7.00, wing 3.70-4.10, tail 2.60-2,90. Female : 
length 6.00-6.50, wing 3.50-3.70, tail 2.35-2.65. 

Distribution. — Sacramento Valley, California. 

474g. O. a. strigata Hensh. Streaked Horned Lark. 

Back heavily streaked with black in sharp contrast to deep ruddy nape ; 
under parts partly or wholly yellow. Male : length 6.75-7.25, wing 3.70- 
4.10, tail 2.70-3.05. Female: length 6.25-6.50, wing 3.60-3.85, tail 2.50- 
2.80. 

Distribution. — Coast region from British Columbia south to California. 

Nest. — In a hollow, on dry ground, usually frail, made of fine dead weeds. 
Eggs : usually 2 or 3, dull greenish or grayish, marked over entire surface 
with gray or reddish, heaviest around larger end. 

474h. O. a. adusta Dwight. Scorched Horned Lark.i 

Pale like occidentalism but back much darker, uniform scorched pink or 

pinkish brown. Male : wing 4, tail 2.83, bill from nostril .36. Female : 

wing 3.73, tail 2.48, bill from nostril .34. 

Distribution. — From central southern Arizona, south to Mexico. 

474i. O. a. merriUi Dwight. Dusky Horned Lark. 

Similar to strigata, but larger, grayer above, streaking of back blacker 
and back of neck paler, pinkish instead of ruddy brown ; less yellowish 
below ; eyebrow usually yellowish. Male : wing 4.07, tail 2.80, bill from 
nostril .35. Female : wing 3.72, tail 2.50, bill from nostril .34. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia south between the Cascades and 
Rocky Mountains ; in winter to Nevada and California. 

474j. O. a. paUida Dwight. Pallid Horned Lark. 

Back of head and neck pale pinkish ; rest of upper parts grayish, streaked 
with pale brown ; forehead and superciliary white, faintly washed with 
yellow ; throat pale yellow. 

^ Otocoris alpestris aphrasta Oberholser. 

Like adusta, but back less reddish, back of neck a^xd bend of wing more pinkish. 
Distribtction. — Extreme southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and Chi- 
huahua, Coahuila, and Durango, Mexico. 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 269 

Distribution. — Colorado Desert, on both sides of the Colorado River 
from the great bend south to Gulf of California. 

474k. O. a. hoyti Bishop. Hoyt Horned Lark. 

Like arcticola, but upper parts more rufescent, throat generally dis- 
tinctly yellowish, and lores white. Male : wing- 4.09-4.54, tail 2,57-2.95. 

Distribution. — Breeds in British America ; migrates to Nevada, Utah, 
Kansas, and Michigan ; casually to Ohio and New York. 

474L O. a. OCCidentalxs (McCall). MoNTEZLnviA Horned Lark. 

Like leucolcema. but upper parts with a slight reddish tinge, leucolcema 
being grayer. Male: wing- 4.07-4.15, tail 2.63-2.95. 

Distribution. — In summer, central New Mexico, west to central Arizona ; 
in winter, south to Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico, and southeast to Texas. 

474ni. O. a. insularis Towns. Island Horned Lark. 

Like strigata, but darker, and less yellowish below. Male: wing 3.74- 
3.96, tail 2.36-2.67. 

Distribution. — The Santa Barbara Islands, California. 



FAMILY CORVIDiE: CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

key to genera, 

1. Wing long and pointed. 

2. Plumage black Corvus, p. 279. 

2'. Plumage mainly gray or blue. 

3. Plumage blue Cyanocephalus, p. 284. 

3'. Plumage gray, black, and white Nucifraga, p. 282. 

1'. Wing short and rounded. 

2. Plumage black and white Pica, p. 269. 

2'. Plumage not black. 

3. Head crested Cyanocitta, p. 271. 

3'. Head not crested. 

4. Plumage mainly gray or blue. 

5. Plumage gray Perisoreus, p. 277. 

5'. Plumage blue Aphelocoma, p. 274. 

4'. Plumage mainly green and black . . . Xanthoura, p. 277. 

GENUS PICA. 

General Characters. — Tail much longer than wing, graduated for half 
its length or more, the feathers becoming narrower towards tips ; wing 
short, rounded, primaries exceeding secondaries by much less than length of 
tarsus ; nostrils covered by bristles ; orbits partly naked ; feet stout ; wings 
and tail metallic, 

key to species. 
1. Bill and naked skin around eyes black .... hudsonica, p. 270. 
1'. Bill and naked skin around eyes yellow .... nuttalli, p. 271. 



270 CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). Black-billed Magpie. 

Adults. — Black, varied with bronzy iridescence, except for white belly 
and wing patches ; tail long- and graduated ; bill and naked skin of orbital 
region 67acA;. Young: head without bronzy gloss. Length: 17.40-21.75, 
wing 7.30-8.40, tail 9.30-11.95, exposed culmen 1.15-1.42, tarsus 1.70-1.92. 

Distribution. — Resident, except perhaps in extreme northern part of 
its range, fi-om Alaska and Hudson Bay to northern parts of Arizona and 
New Mexico ; and from western Nebraska, west to eastern slopes of Sierra 
Nevada and Cascades. 

Nest. — A mud cup lined with rootlets, grass, hair, and pine needles, 
surrounded by a globular mass of coarse sticks sometimes as big as a bushel 
basket, placed usually 3 to 20 feet from the ground in willows, thorn bushes, 
bullberry bushes, small oaks, cottonwoods, and pines. Eggs: usually 7, 
grayish, heavily and evenly blotched with brown, often almost hiding the 
ground color. 

Food.' — Small mammals, birds, their young and eggs, and crawfish, but 
mainly insects, including a destructive black cricket, grasshoppers, grubs, 
and larvae, together with some fruit, berries, and green leaves. 

The magpie is a feature of the landscape, whether seen in flight 
as a black air-ship with white side-wheelers and long black rudder 
moving against a background of red cliffs in the Garden of the Gods, 
or seen standing as a lay figure on a stone wall in a Mormon village. 
There is always a freedom and largeness about his proceedings. 
Sometimes he will take wing so near that you see the green gloss on 
his back, flying with even water level flight far and away till he 
becomes a black dot and disappears beyond your field of vision. His 
masterful, positive character is not lost even when he goes squacking 
about his daily business. Whatever he does or says he claims the 
attention of the neighborhood, except when he has a secret to hide, 
when he is as silent and wary as any wise parent. 

Like all great talkers the magpies are fond of company and where 
one is seen others are usually witliin calling distance. Their notes 
have a conversational tone and varied inflections and it seems small 
wonder that they learn to talk when kept in confinement. 

They are keen observers and eager investigators of anything new 
that does not appear dangerous. If a line of traps are set through 
the sagebrush for small rodents and marked with bits of cotton on 
bush tops, the cotton soon catches their eyes and is promptly inves- 
tigated. If some of the traps have caught meadow mice they are 
carried off to a convenient place, the mice eaten and the traps left — - 
sometimes causing a slight unpleasantness between magpie and 
mammalogist. In cases where the birds are common they take up 
the traps so systematically that the collector has to leave his line 
unmarked or devise a method obscure enough to escape their keen 
eyes. A flock of six or eight once came to examine into the blankets 
of a naturalist sleeping on a haycock. Several of them lit on his head 
and one was so absorbed in its explorations that the awakened cob 
lector caught it in his hand. 




MAGPIE 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 271 

The birds are quick to take advantage of circumstances, and have 
been found living largely on dead fish at Lake Winnemucca, Nevada, 
feeding with the chickens in Utah, and during deep snows in Ore- 
gon keeping their toes warm by spending a large share of their time 
perched on the backs of horses and mules. 

476. Pica nuttalli Aud. Yellow-billed Magpie. 

Similar to the P. p. hudsonica, but smaller and with bill and naked 
skin back of eye bright yellow. Length : 16-18, wing 7.20-7.70, tail 9.30- 
10.30, exposed culmen 1.04-1.17, tarsus 1.63-1.89. 

]3istribution. — Resident in California west of the Sierra Nevada moun- 
tains from Sacramento Valley south to about latitude 34°, locally distrib- 
uted. 

Nest. — Similar to that of hudsonica, with the addition of cow manure 
and inner bark of the cottonwood ; placed in oaks, sycamores, cotton- 
woods, and willows, usually 30 to 60 feet from the ground. Eggs : about 
7, like those of the black-billed, but a trifle smaller and with a more green- 
ish tinge. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, ants, worms, grubs, offal, carrion, seeds, and waste 
grain. 

In a restricted area of the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys in 
California some of the yellow-billed magpies are still left, but they 
are so much in evidence and afford such a tempting target that the 
days of the little band are probably numbered. In June, 1900, in 
the grain and oak fields of the Sierra foothills we counted nineteen 
of the splendid fellows flying about in one meadow near the mouth of 
a low canyon. They are tame and familiar if their suspicions are 
not aroused, but let a man appear with a gun and they are over the 
treetops and away. 

They are as bold, as shy, and as garrulous as their black-billed 
cousins across the range. Half a dozen in a tree of over-ripe figs 
reminds one of the chatter of an afternoon tea. 

GENUS CYANOCITTA. 

General Characters. — Conspicuously crested ; nostrils concealed ; wings 
and tail about equal, rounded ; hind claw equaling or exceeding its toe in 
length. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Under parts whitish cristata, p. 271. 

1'. Under parts blue. 

2. With white spot over eye. 

3. Belly pale blue diademata, p. 273. 

3'. Belly dark blue annectens, p. 273. 

2'. Without white spot over eye. 

3. Under parts dark blue stelleri, p. 272. 

3'. Under parts light blue frontalis, p. 273. 

477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). Blue Jay. 

Adults. — Crest and back light purplish blue ; wings and tail blue. 



272 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



barred with black ; throat gray or purplish white ; middle of breast and 

sides grayish or brownish, belly 
white ; white on outer tail feath- 
er an inch or more deep. Young : 
similar, but colors duller. Length : 
11.00-12.50, wing 5.00-5.70, tail 
5.0^5.70, exposed eulmen .93- 
1.06. 

Distribution. — Breeds in east- 
ern North America from about 
latitude 52° south to Florida, and 
from the Atlantic west to eastern 
parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and 
northern Texas. 

Nest. — Usually in trees, often 

in orchards about houses, made 

Eggs : 3 to 6, pale olive, greenish, or 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 

Agriculture. 

Fig. 345. Blue Jay. 



largely of dried twigs and rootlets, 
buffy, sparsely spotted with brown. 

Food. — Largely mast ; also corn, grain, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. 

Observers in the western parts of Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas 
may be fortunate enough to know the spirited eastern blue jay. In 
voice and general habits he resembles his western relatives, though 
perhaps more awake to the advantages to be had from human 
neighborhood when snow covers the acorns and nuts on which he 
feeds. 

478. Cyanoeitta stelleri (Gmel.). Steller Jay. 

Adults. — Fore parts of body dull blackish, changing to pale blue on 
lower back and belly ; wings and tail purplish blue, barred with black. 
Young : similar, but duller ; wing bars faint or wanting. Length : 12-13, 
wing 5.55-6.20, tail 5.30-6.35, bill .96-1.18. 

Distribution. — Resident in Transition and Canadian zones from Cook 
Inlet south along coast to Monterey, California, and east to the Cascades. 

Nest. — 25 to 50 feet from the ground, usually in firs, but sometimes 
other trees, vines, and bushes, made of twigs, moss, and dry grass, ce- 
mented with mud and lined with fine roots. Fggs : 3 to 5, pale bluish 
green, spotted or blotched over whole surface with brown and lavender, 
thickest about the larger end. 

Food. — In winter largely pine seeds, though almost anything is eaten. 

There are many handsome blue-jays, but stelleri in its numerous 
forms, with its blue body and high crest, is one of the lords of its 
race, fittingly associated with the noblest forests of the west. 

The Steller jay (stelleri) may be found at Cloud Cap Inn on Mt. 
Hood, feeding with the Clark crows and Oregon jays, and gives a 
touch of color to the solemn redwood forests of California as well 
as the dark, jungle-like woods of the Puget Sound country. The 
blue-fronted {stelleri frontalis) enlivens the forests of the Sierra, 
while the long-crested {stelleri diademata) lives in the southern 
Rocky Mountains, wandering about in the mountain ranges of New 
Mexico and the pine forests of Arizona. At Cloudcroft, New Mexico, 




LONG-CRESTED JAY 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 273 

it gleans from abandoned camps, and in Arizona, though resident 
up to 10,000 feet, is often seen on the high rail fences built to keep 
range cattle within bounds. 

Chack-ah, chack-ah, chack-ah, chock, the jay. squalls, jerking his 
tail and dashing about, soaring down with short wings wide-spread, 
lighting on the side of a tree to inspect the cracks in the bark, or 
dropping to the ground to hunt for fallen mast. 

In flight the crest is sometimes lowered almost to the horizontal, 
but, as a small Arizona observer noted, "when they holler they 
stick that right straight up." This * hollering ' includes a squeal 
which is so close to that of the red-tailed hawk as to be a good test 
to the ear of the observer. 

478a. C. s- frontalis (Ridgw.). Blue-fronted Jay.i 

Adults. — Fore parts of body brownish slate, with blue tinge to crest and 
blue streaks on forehead ; wings and tail dark blue, barred ; rump and 
under parts dull turquoise. Length : 11.75-13.00, wing 5.50-6.10, tail 5.10- 
5.75, exposed culmen 1.00-1.20. 

Distribution. — Southern coast ranges and Sierra Nevada of California 
and western Nevada, from Fort Crook south to northern Lower California. 

Nest. — Like that of stelleri usually in firs, cedars, and pines, but some- 
times in snowsheds and natural cavities in trees and stubs, from 4 to 50 
feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 to 5, like those of stelleri. 

Food. — Acorns, pine seeds, and a variety of animal and vegetable mat- 
ter. 

478b. C. s. diademata (Bonap.). Long-crested Jay. 

Like C. s. annectens, but white spot over eye always conspicuous and 
streaking on forehead whitish; black of head in sharp contrast to gray of 
back ; chest bluish ; blue of belly and rump dull turquoise as ra frontalis. 
Length: 11.75-13.75, wing 5.65-6.40, tail 5.25-6.25, exposed culmen 1.03- 
1.14. 

Distribution. — Resident in Transition and Canadian zones in the south- 
ern Rocky Mountains from southern Wyoming south to Zacatecas, Mex- 
ico, west to Uintah Mountains, Utah, and high mountains of Arizona. 

Nest. — Similar to that of stelleri, usually in small bushy pines or other 
conifers 8 to 15 feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 to 6, similar to those of 
stelleri. 

Food. — Partly grasshoppers and pine seeds. 

478c. C. S. annectens (Baird). Black-headed Jay. 

Head black, back slaty, blue of under parts dark as in stelleri ; streaks 
on forehead bluish white, sovaetimes indistinct ; small white spot over eye. 

Remarks. — The black-headed has the general body colors of the Steller 
jay, with the eye spot and streaks approaching those of the long-crested. 
Length : 12-50-13.75, wing 5.90-6.60, tail 5.80-6.65, exposed culmen .97- 
1.08. 

1 Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea Grinnell. 

like frontalis, but darker, frontal blue spots restricted ; head darker than back, back 
warm slate gray. 

Distribution. — Coast of California, Monterey County, north to Oregon; Oregon west 
to Cascades, including east slope of Cascades. {The Condor, ii. 127 ; iv. 41.) 



274 CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

Distribution. — Resident in Canadian zone in British Columbia and the 
northern Rocky Mountain region, south to the AVasateh Mountains, and 
from Wyoming west to eastern Oregon and Washington. 

Nest. — As described by Ridgway, base of coarse fir sticks with mud 
bowl lined with fine wiry roots, saddled on a horizontal branch, 15 feet 
from the ground, containing 3 eggs, similar to those of stelUri. 

GENUS APHELOCOMA. 

General Characters. — Head not crested, tarsus longer than middle toe 
with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Tail shorter than wing. 

2. Tail .5.50 or less couchi, p. 276. 

2'. Tail more than 5.50 arizonae, p. 276. 

r. Tail longer than wing. 
2. Back slaty gray. East of Sierra Nevada . . "woodhouseii, p. 274. 
2'. Back brown. 
8. Sides of head blackish. 

4. Larger and lighter. Sierra Nevada to Pacific. 

californica, p. 275. 
4'. Smaller and darker. Southern coast district . obscura, p. 276. 
3'. Sides of head blue. 

4. Upper parts, except back, bright blue. 

5. Chest broadly streaked with white . . . cyanotis, p. 274. 

5'. Chest obsoletely streaked with grayish . . texana, p. 275. 

4'. Upper parts, except back, dark purplish blue, insularis, p. 276. 

480. Aphelocoraa woodhouseii (Baird). Woodhouse Jay. 

Upper parts dull blue except for slate gray back and scapulars ; under 
parts gray except for blue tail and under tail coverts, and throat, which is 
whitish streaked with dark gray. Young : back darker than in young of 
californica ; under parts dark gray instead of white. Length : 11.50-12.75, 
wing 4.70-5.35, tail 5.20-6.20, bill .93.-1.06. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper Sonoran zone from southeastern Ore- 
gon south along the east side of the Sierra Nevada to northern Mexico, and 
east to Montana, Colorado, and Texas. 

Nest. — Found at Preseott, Arizona, a small, slight platform of sticks 
lined with fine roots and horsehair, placed in the centre of a thick bush 
about 5 feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 to 6, pale green, sparingly flecked 
over the whole surface with irregular brown and lavender markings, 
usually heaviest about the larger end. 

Food. — Varied, including insects, acorns, and pine nuts. 

The habits of the Woodhouse jay are similar to those of the Cali- 
fornia jay (see p. 275). 

480.1. Aphelocoraa cyanotis Ridgw. Blue-eared Jay. 

Head, wings, and tail, bright blue ; back dark slaty broivn, washed tvith 
blue ; sides of head blue like top of head ; under parts light grayish blue, 
broadly streaked with white ; lower part of breast brownish gray, changing 
to white on belly. Length (skin) : 11.50, wing 5.40, tail 5.70, exposed cul- 
men .95. 

Distribution. — Mexican tablelands north casually to Sutton County, 
Texas. 




WOODHOUSE JAY 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 275 

Nest. — A loosely constructed mass of thorn brush lined with finer mate- 
rials. Eggs: greenish blue, heavily spotted with brown and lavender, 
especially at larger end. 

480.2. Aphelocoma texana Ridgw. Texan Jay. 

Like cyanotis, but white superciliary more distinct, under parts paler and 
browner gray, lower throat and chest with obsolete grayish streaks instead 
of blue streaks. 

Eemarks. — Texana differs from woodhouseii in obsolete streakings of 
chest, paler, browner breast, and white under tail coverts. 

Distribution. — Southwestern Texas, from Concho and Kerr counties west 
to the Davis Mountains. 

481. Aphelocoma calif ornica {Vig.). California Jay. 

Adults. — Upper parts blue except for brownish back and scapulars ; 
under parts white except for bluish streaking on throat and partial blue 
and brownish necklace ; white superciliary clearly defined ; sides of head 
blackish. Young : head only tinged with blue, nearly uniform with brown- 
ish back ; throat white, unstreaked ; chest washed with brownish gray ; belly 
whitish. Length : 11.50-12.25, wing 4.70-5.20, tail 5.45-6.10, bill .87-1.03. 

Remarks. — Calif ornica and woodhouseii are easily told apart, as cali- 
f ornica is whitish instead of brownish gray below, and brown instead of 
grayish on back. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region from the Columbia River southward, 
including both slopes of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, to northern Lower 
California. 

Nest. — Interlaced twigs, mixed sometimes with moss, stubble, and grass, 
surrounding an inner nest of fine roots sometimes mixed with horsehair ; 
placed usually in low bushes, but also in trees 3 to 30 feet from the ground, 
generally not far from water. Eggs : 3 to 6, huffy or green, varying 
greatly in shade, the huffy ones spotted and blotched with brown, the 
green with markings generally scattered over the entire surface. 

Food. — Bird's eggs, insects, acorns, pine nuts, wild fruits, and berries; 
also, about settlements, hens' eggs and grain. 

In coming down the Sierra Nevada you sometimes find that the 
range of the blue-fronted is overlapped by that of the California jay ; 
but in the main you see the dark-crested frontalis sailing down 
from the fir-tops, and hear the light-colored, flat-headed California 
jays squawking through the digger pines and chaparral of the low 
country, where the valley quail has replaced the mountain quail. 
' Blue squawkers ' the birds are called locally, and the name seems 
most appropriate when the hot thick air over the oaks and chaparral 
is vibrating with their cries. The Aphelocoma voice differs strikingly 
from that oi frontalis, having a flat tone and being uttered with un- 
seemly haste. Its notes vary greatly in expression and are so em- 
phatic and often peremptory that one cannot doubt that something 
important is being said. A favorite cry, used apparently to rouse 
attention, is a quick " quay -quay-quay -guay-guay -quay-quay." An- 
other still more emphatic one is boy'-ee boy'-ee, while an inquiring 
quay-kee? is often heard. Sometimes when a jay flies down to a 



276 GROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

companion it gives its quay-quay-quay-quay-quay and is answered by 
a high keyed queep-queep-queep-queep — however that may be inter- 
preted. 

481b. A. C. obscura Anthony. Belding Jay. 

Like californica, but smaller (except bill) and darker. 

Distribution. — Southern coast district of California to San Gabriel and 
San Bernardino Mountains ; south to Lower California. 

481.1. Aphelocoma insularis Hensh. Sakta Ckuz Jay. 

Upper parts dark purplish blue except for dark brown back and scapu- 
lars ; breast and sides brownish, under tail coverts blue. Length: 11.50- 
12.25, wing- 5.20-5.80, tail 6.05-6.25, bill 1.15-1.30. 

Distribution. — Santa Cruz Island, southern California. 

482. Aphelocoma sieberii arizonse Ridgw. Arizona Jay. 

Upper parts dull blue, grayish on back, and sometimes brownish between 
shoulders ; under parts grayish white, sometimes brownish or huffy gray ; 
tail decidedly rounded. Length: 11.50-13.00, wing 6.10-6.50, tail 5.65- 
6.10. 

Remarks. — This and couchi are the only United States members of the 
genus Aphelocoma with wings longer than tail. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper Sonoran zone from southern New 
Mexico and Arizona south to northern Sonora and Chihuahua. 

Nest. — In oaks, 12 to 30 feet from the ground, made of sticks and root- 
lets, sometimes lined with horsehair. Eggs : 4 to 7, plain green. 

Food. — Largely acorns ; but also grasshoppers and other insects, wild 
fruits and seeds. 

The Arizona jay is an abundant resident of the live-oak belt of 
the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Santa Catalina, and some of the other 
Arizona mountains, from an altitude of from 3000 to 7000 feet. In 
severe winter weather the jays sometimes come about houses, and 
can be attracted by bones or meat hung on trees. 

482a. Aphelocoma couchi (Baird). Couch Jay. 

Adults. — Back and scapulars dull grayish blue ; rest of upper parts and 
sides of head bright azure blue ; throat dull white ; breast brownish gray ; 
belly and under tail coverts pure white. Length: 11.50, wing 5.80-5.90, 
tail 5.30-5.40, graduated for about .30, bill 1.05-1.10. 

Distribution. — Eastern Mexico, extending to western Texas in the Chisos 
Mountains. 

Nest. — Made of sticks, lined with rootlets. Eggs : 4, robin's-egg blue. 

In the Chisos Mountains, Texas, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Fuertes, and Mr. 
Oberholser found the Couch jay, which was previously known only 
in Mexico, common from the lower edge of the oaks and junipers to 
the top of the range. It was especially abundant in the shady gulches 
near water. Like most other jays, though noisy and conspicuous, 
it was shy and suspicious. During the first half of June old and 
young were flying together, busily catching and eating the large cica- 
das that swarmed in the oaks. 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



277 



GENUS XANTHOURA. 

483. Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens Bidgw. Green Jay. 

Adults. — Throat and sides of head jet black, in sharp contrast to pale 
green or yellowish green of under parts ; top of head and malar streak 
bluish purple, with touch of white on forehead ; rest of upper parts bluish 
green, usually extensively tinged with pale blue ; tail with middle feathers 
bluish green, outer feathers pale yellow. Young : similar, but duller, head 
greenish blue instead of purple ; upper parts apple green without bluish 
tinge ; under parts buify, faintly tinged with green. Length : 11-12, wing 
4.40-4.80, tail 5.10-5.80. 

Distribution. — From Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas south to 
Vera Cruz and Puebla. 

Nest. — Concealed in thickets, made of thorny twigs sparingly lined with 
rootlets, moss, grass, and hair. Eggs : usually 4, grayish, greenish, or 
buify, marked with lilac and brown, massed around the larger end. 

GEWUS PERISORETJS. 

General Characters. — Head not crested ; plumage soft, full, and loose ; 
bill short and wide at base, nostrils exposed ; wings and tail about equal, 
tail graduated. 

KEY TO SPECIES. . 

1. Whole top of head white • • • capitalis, p. 277. 

r. Top of head black except for white forehead. 

2. Back brownish • • • obscurus, p. 278. 

2'. Back gray. East of Coast and Cascade ranges . . griseus, p. 279. 



484a. 



Perisoreus canadensis capitalis Bidgw. 
TAIN Jay. 



Rocky Moun- 



Adults. — Top of head white shading to dark gray on back of neck ; rest 
of upper parts light slate 
gray ; tail tipped with white ; 
throat whitish ; rest of under 
parts brownish gray. Young : 
top of head dull white, tinged 
with grayish brown. Length : 
11.25-13.00, wing 5.90-6..30, 
tail 5.80-6.35, bill .97-1.08. 

Distribution. — From Brit- 
ish America south to Arizona 
and New Mexico in the 
Rocky Mountain regions. 

Nest. — As described by 
Dr. Brewer, of pine twigs 
holding a compactly woven 
inner nest of stems, plant ^^^- '^^'^• 

fibers, feathers, bark, and down, placed on the horizontal branch of a 
pine 40 feet from the ground, containing 3 eggs, grayish white blotched 
with purplish brown, in two, only around the larger end, in one, over the 
entire egg. 

Food. — Meat, insects, acorns, and whatever offers. 

The Rocky Mountain jay, like the other species of the Perisoreus 
genus, is notoriously a camp bird. As it lives all the year in the deep 




278 CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

coniferous forests where it is rarely shot at, it seems to regard the few 
campers who come to its preserves as fellow foresters who should 
naturally share their living with it. The jays have been known to 
carry these reprehensible socialistic sentiments so far as to fly down 
on the carcass of a deer which a man was skinning. At such a time 
Mr. Anthony has had them light on his head and back, uttering a 
low, plaintive cry. In the Yellowstone Kational Park, where no shoot- 
ing is allowed, a band of the big flufl:'y birds came trooping into Mr. 
Bailey's camp to breakfast with him every morning. Once they 
came before the camp was awake and flew around calling and scold- 
ing as if angry that the people were not up. One bird dropped 
softly down on the blankets of one of the party and, while the man 
held his breath and looked at it out of one eye, sat there calmly 
glancing around for breakfast. 

486. Perisoreus obscurus Eidgw. Oregon Jay. 

Adults. — Like P. c. capitalis. but white only on forehead ; top of head 

and back of neck blackish, and rest 
of upper parts brownish gray ; 
feathers of back with white shaft 
streaks ; tail only slightly if at all 
tipped with white ; under parts 
white. Young : dull sooty brown, 
darkest on head, browner below. 
Length : 9.50-11.00, wing 5.15.r5.75. 
tail 5.20-5.90, bill .84-.99.^ 

Distribution. — Resident in higher 
mountains of northern California, 
Oregon, Washington, and part of 
British Columbia. 

Nest. — Outside of interlaced 
1 ^ twigs, dry grass, tree moss, and 

^^""'^ plant fibers ; inside dark tree moss ; 

Fig. 347. placed usually in a high bushy fir. 

Eggs : 4 or 5, pearl gray or green- 
ish gray, spotted with lavender and gray. 

The Oregon and Rocky Mountain jays are alike in habits. The 
Oregon bird is found in numbers on Mt. Hood. About Government 
Camp a band of the jays visited Mr. Bailey's camp, and the men 
amused themselves at the jays' expense by throwing soggy pancakes 
to them. The birds could not fly off with the heavy cakes, but con- 
sidered them such unwonted delicacies that they would drag them 
around over the ground worrying off pieces to fly away with. 

At Cloud Cap Inn the Oregon jays come to the house for food and 
water, and when I was there were so tame that by coaxing them 
with a plate of meat I was able to photograph them only four feet 
away. The voices of the jays were heard around the log house from 
morning till night. Their notes were pleasantly varied. One call 





CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 279 

was remarkably like the chirp of a robin. Another of the common- 
est was a weak and rather complaining cry repeated several times. 
A sharply contrasting one was a pure, clear whistle of one note fol- 
lowed by a three-syllabled call something like ka-we'-ah. The regular 
rallying cry was still different, a loud and striking two-syllabled ka- 
wJiee. 

At the Inn the birds spent a large part of their time storing food. 
Observers who are in the woods in winter should try to find if such 
stores are utilized. 

485a. P- O. griseus Ridgw. Gray Jay. 

Similar to the Oregon jay, but decidedly larger except for feet, and 
mueli grayer ; back dark gray instead of brown, and under parts grayish 
white instead of brownish white. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia south to northern California east 
of the Coast and Cascade ranges. 

GENUS CORVTJS. 

General Characters. — Wing 9 or 
more ; long and pointed ; tail much 

shorter than wing ; bill compressed, -^-^ ^'Trnn-..— J ^^^^'^"^^^^ 

much higher than broad ; nasal bris- ^^^v«r^ 

ties about half as long as bill; feet \^^^ 

stout. Fig. 348. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Feathers of neck gray or white at base. 

2. Feathers of neck pure white at base . . . cryptoleucus, p. 280. 
2'. Feathers of neck dull gray at base. 

3. Bill larger, tarsus stouter. Washington . . principalis, p. 280. 

3'. Bill smaller, tarsus more slender sinuatus, p. 279. 

1'. Feathers of neck not gray or white at base. 

2. Wing 10.05. Sitka to Oregon caurinus, p. 282. 

2'. Wing 12.15 americanus, p. 281. 

486. Corvus COrax sinuatus {Wagl). American Raven. 

Black, entire plumage glossed with lustrous purplish, tinged with dull 
greenish on belly ; feathers of throat lanceolate, distinct from one another ; 
feathers of neck dull gray at base; nasal tufts covering more than basal 
half of upper mandible. Length : 21.50-26.00, wing 15.10-18.00, tail 9-11, 
exposed culmen 2.40-3.05. 

Distribution. — Resident from upper border of arid Tropical to Alpine 
zone in the western United States from the Rocky Mountains to the 
Pacific coast, and from Canada to Guatemala. 

Nest. — Usually on cliffs, a mass of well-interlaced sticks lined with 
Cottonwood bark, moss, cattle hair, and wool. Eggs : 5 to 7, pea green, 
olive, or drab, usually profusely spotted and blotched with shades of 
brown, lavender, and drab. 

Food. — Principally carrion, dead fish and frogs, varied with rodents, 
mussels, grasshoppers, large black crickets, and worms. 

Where tall, bare cliffs rise from the valleys and deep, steep-walled 
canyons cut into the mountain ranges, the hoarse croaking of the 



280 CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

ravens echoes back from cliff and wall. The higher and more inac- 
cessible the cliff and the more barren and deserted the valley below 
the better suited are the ravens and the more freely do they soar 
and croak, flying singly or in pairs, up and down along the face 
of the cliff with a spirited wildness that harmonizes well with their 
background. Suspicious, wary pirates they are, always on the de- 
fensive to evade attack, keeping well out of rifle range of man, 
and often forced to mount to almost invisible heights to avoid mob- 
bing attacks from small birds that seem to have permanent wrongs 
to avenge. 

They descend to lake and river shores for dead fish or whatever 
the waves wash up in the way of food, make a few meals from a 
dead sheep, feast on what is left when a hunter dresses a deer, and 
are accused of helping out their varied bill of fare with eggs and 
young from any birds' nest that comes handy. Their own nests, 
placed in a niche half way up some perpendicular cliff, usually bids 
defiance to all enemies. Vernon Bailey. 

486a. C. c principalis Eidgw. Northern Raven. 

Like the American raven, but larg-er, with larger and heavier bill ; tarsus 
shorter and stouter ; more of upper part concealed by feathering of thighs. 
Length: 22.00-26.50, wing 16.50-18.00, tail 9.20-10.50, exposed culmen 
2.65-3.45. 

Distribution. — Northern North America from Greenland west to Alaska, 
south to Washington, northern Michigan, New York, and Maine, and south 
in the mountains to North Carolina. 

Nest. — On cliffs and in trees, made of sticks lined with seaweed, grasses, 
mosses, or hair. Eggs : 4 to 6, greenish or drab, usually profusely blotched 
and spotted with browns, drab, and lavender. 

Food. — Largely fish offal and refuse ; also clams, and eggs and young 
of waterfowl. 

The northern raven resembles the American in general habits and 
call-notes, and is usually most abundant in the immediate vicinity 
of Indian camps on the seashore or on the banks of large rivers in 
the interior. 

487. Corvus cryptoleucus Couch. White-necked Raven. 

Black, upper parts glossed with purplish ; feathers of neck pure white at 
base, nasal tufts covering more than basal half of upper mandible. Length : 
18.75-21.00, wing 13.10-14.25, tail 7.50-8.60, exposed culmen 2.00-2.35. 

Distribution. — Mainly Lower Sonoran zone from Texas to southern Cali- 
fornia, and from western Kansas and southern Colorado south through 
northern Mexico. 

Nest. — Poorly made, usually of thorny twigs lined with yucca fibers, 
deer hair, rabbit fur, bark, grass, or moss ; placed only 7 to 20 feet from 
the ground, often in a yucca top. Eggs : 3 to 8, green, with longitudinal 
marks of gray, brown, and lavender, sometimes partly hidden by brown 
spots and blotches. 

Food. — Principally animal matter, including cicadas ; also refuse grain. 




NORTHERN RAVEN 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 281 

The wMte-necked raven is a typical bird of the hot Lower Sono- 
ran deserts, where it seems permanently associated with tall yuccas, 
juicy-fruited cactus, and the thousand thorny things of the half- 
barren valleys. Half crow and half raven in size, voice, and habits, 
cryptoleucus is still readily distinguished from either by both size 
and voice. Social in disposition, the birds gather in crow-like flocks 
in winter and feed about stockyards and corrals and even in city 
streets, where they are surprisingly tame considering their shyness 
outside. Even in the breeding season they are often seen in small 
companies on the mesas foraging for food or mobbing a pair of the 
big, hoarse- voiced sinuatus which have inadvertently entered their 
domain. But more commonly they are seen in pairs flying low over 
the cactus and yucca tops. 

So partial are they to the tall bayoneted yuccas for nesting sites 
that in western Texas few of these tree-like growths that have 
reached a height of ten or twelve feet have escaped bearing one or 
more loads of sticks. Vernon Bailey. 

488. Corvus amerieanus Aud. American Crow.^ 

Black, whole plumage glossed with violet, more strongly on upper parts ; 
feathers of throat short, blended. Length: 17-21, wing 11.90-13.25, tail 
6.90-8.00, exposed eulmen 1.80-2.05. 

Distribution. — North American continent, except extreme arctic re- 
gions, and Florida in summer ; south to northern Mexico. 

Nest. — In trees, bulky, of sticks, weed stalks, and other coarse ma- 
terials, lined with roots, grass, leaves, straw, wool, or hair. Eggs : 4 to 8, 
from pale bluish green to olive green or olive buff, with irregular spots 
or blotches in grays and browns. 

Food. — Mice, rabbits, gophers, eggs and young of other birds, grasshop- 
pers, weevils, cutworms, and many injurious insects ; also grain and fruit. 

The crow excites interest from many points of view. As an in- 
dividual his droll originality and keen intelligence attract the bird 
student, as a social animal his famous roosts are a seven days' won- 
der to his neighbors, while as an economic problem at his name 
friends and foes rise in clamor. His roosts sometimes number a 
population of 300,000, when his importance as a seed-planter may 
be well appreciated. But the economic point at issue in discussing 
him is, does he eat more grubs than corn ? Professor Beal's con- 
clusions, based on the examination of large numbers of crow stom- 
achs, are that ' ' in the more thickly settled parts of the country the. 
crow probably "does more good than harm, at least when ordinary 
precautions are taken to protect newly planted corn and young 
poultry against his depredations." The best way to protect com- 

1 Corvus amerieanus hesperis Ridgw. Califoknia Crow. 
SmaUer than amerieanus, with relatively smaller and more slender bill. 
Distribution. — From Puget Sound to northern Mexico and east to the Rocky Moun- 
tains. (Ridgway's Manual of North American Birds, p. 362.) 



282 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



fields is to soak the corn in tar before planting and scatter untarred 
corn on the borders of the field. A few quarts of corn used in this 
way will protect a field of eight or ten acres. This is worth while 
becavise of the amount of good the crow does by destroying insect 
pests and field mice, rabbits, and other harmful rodents. 

489. Corvus caurinus Baird. Northwest Crow. 

Black, upper parts glossed with dull violet. Length: 16-17, wing- 10.10- 
11.50, tail 5.90-7.00, exposed culmen 1.60-1.90. 

Be. marks. — The northwest crow differs from the American crow in 
smaller size. 

Distribution. — Coast districts from Sitka to Oregon. 

Nest. — In a crotch, 10 to 18 feet from the g-round, made of fine sticks 
and mud, lined with cedar bark. Eggs : usually 4 or 5, like those of 
americanus, hut smaller. 

On the Makah Indian Reservation at Neah Bay near Cape Flat- 
tery I was much impressed by the sight of these small crows fear- 
lessly walking or flying about on the beach among the long-beaked 
boats of the Indians, where they picked up dead fish and refuse 
with the assurance of chickens or pampered pets. They are said to 
contend with the dogs for possession of the refuse fish on the beach, 
and even go so far as to carry off fish from poles on the housetops 
where the Indians have left them to dry. Their good offices as 
scavengers are especially appreciated about salmon canneries and 
rivers when the salmon are running. 



^¥'' 




Corjon /K/^ genus nucifraga. 

Subgenus Pieicorvus. 
491. Nucifrag-a columbiana (Wils.). Nutcracker. 

Bill cylindrical, nostrils concealed by a tuft of feathers ; wing-s long- and 

pointed, folding- to the end of 
tail ; tail little over half as long- 
as wing- ; tarsus shorter than 
middle toe and claw ; claws 
larg-e, sharp, and much curved. 

Adults. — Body ash gray, whiter 
on forehead and chin ; wings 
black, with white patch on sec- 
ondaries ; tail with middle feath- 
ers black, outer ones white. 
Young : similar, but colors duller 
and upper parts brownish g^ray ; 
under parts brownish ash indis- 
tinctly barred. Length : 12-13, 
wing- 7.10-8.00, tail 5.10-5.40. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Cana- 

From biological Burvey, n. ». i^t-pi. ui Ag.icuiture. ^^^^ ^^^ Hudsonian zones in the 
Fig. 349. mountainous parts of western 

North America from Alaska south to New Mexico and Arizona, and from 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 283 

the Black Hills and eastern slopes of the rocky Mountains to the Pacific. 
Casual from Dakota through Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. 

;^est. — In evergreens 8 to 40 feet from the ground, composed of twigs 
and white sage, bound together by strips of inner bark, lined with fine 
strips of bark, grasses, and pine needles. Eggs : 3 to 5, pale green, mi- 
nutely and sparingly marked with brown, gray, and lavender, either most 
heavily around the larger end, evenly distributed, or with the lower half 
unspotted. 

Food. — In winter, seeds of conifers ; at other seasons, berries, lupine 
seeds, insect larvfe, butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, and the destructive 
black cricket. The young are fed on hulled pine seeds. 

What an independent, positive character the nutcracker is! In the 
mountains the sound of his rattling kar'r'r, kar'r'r, as he comes 
flying in with strong, free flight, leading a black and white liveried 
band through the treetops, always stirs the blood with memories 
and anticipations, for he is associated with the mountain-tops, where 
the conies bleat and the glacial streams flow only when the sun is 
high. 

Living mainly on the crests of the ranges, the birds fly to the 
high peaks to get the flrst rays of the sun, and when warmed go for 
food and water to lower slopes. Their method of getting down is 
startling at first sight. Launching out from a peak with bill pointed 
downward and wings closed they drop like a bullet for a thousand 
feet to the brook where they wish to drink. Sometimes they make 
the descent at one long swoop, at other times in a series of pitches, 
each time checking their fall by opening their wings and letting 
themselves curve upward before the next straight drop. They fall 
with such a high rate of speed that when they open their wings 
there is an explosive burst which echoes from the canyon walls. 

On Mt. Hood the Clarke crows stay with the Oregon jays around 
Cloud Cap Inn, under the peak. On Mt. Shasta a few of them come 
into the fir belt as low as 5750 feet, but while we were there the 
majority we saw were with the alpine hemlocks and the dwarf pines 
of timberline, from 7750 to 8300 feet. They ate green caterpillars 
in the hemlocks and caught grasshoppers on the neighboring rocky 
slopes. In places they are seen flying about among the dwarf pines 
carrying the cones in their bills to branches where they can get at 
the seeds by hammering off the scales. In the Sierra Nevada in fall 
they feed largely on the seeds of Pinus monticola, and at such times 
their movements are irregular, depending on the supply of pine 
cones. When feeding it is amusing to watch them. As you walk 
along the edge of the timber a flash of white and the sound of flap- 
ping wings overhead call your attention in time to see the bird 
light with a jet of the tail and a jerk of the wings on a terminal 
cluster of cones. He hardly gets his balance so that his figure 



284 CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 

resumes its trim form before he starts, his tail flips up, and a cone 
loosened by his foot goes to the ground with a rattling thump. And 
so he keeps it up, till you know when you are in his neighborhood 
by the sound of cones hitting the ground. In Idaho, Dr. Merrill 
found the abundance of the nutcrackers was coincident with that of 
the crossbills, the presence of both birds being dependent on the food 
supply. 

On San Francisco Mountain, Dr. Mearns foimd the birds breeding 
while the mountains were still covered with snow. 

GENUS CYANOCEPHALUS. 

492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus (Wied.). PiSon Jay. 

Head not crested ; bill cylindrical ; nostrils exposed ; tail nearly square, 
much shorter than wings ; feet stout, claws large, strong, and much 
curved. Adults : almost uniform grayish blue, brightest on head ; throat 
with white streaks. Young : dull grayish blue, lighter beneath. Length : 
10.00-11.75, wing 5.70-6.00, tail 4.80-4.85. 

Distribution. — Breeds in pinon belt in Upper Sonoran and Transition 
zones in the plateau regions of western North America from southern 
British Columbia south to Lower California and northern Mexico, and 
from the region of the Black Hills west to the Pacific ; casually to Kansas 
and Nebraska. Migrates from the northern part of its range. 

Nest. — Deep, bulky, compact, made of twigs or sagebrush, lined with 
plant and tree fibers, rootlets, and grass ; placed usually in piiions or juni- 
pers 5 to 12 feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 to 5, bluish white, sometimes 
covered with minute specks, at others wreathed around the larger end 
with coarse spots. 

Food. — Juniper berries, pinon nuts, grain, and insects, especially grass- 
hoppers. 

The pinon jays are so inseparably associated with the pinon 
pines that you can no more think of them without mental visions of 
sage-covered foothills spotted with junipers and piiions, than you 
can think of these dwarf forests of the desert ranges of the Great 
Basin country without calling up. images of straggling flocks of 
short-tailed birds flapping along with crow -like flight and a weird, 
crow -like ca-w' ca-w'. 

The nut pine furnishes a great part of their food, and only in the 
juniper and yellow pine country of eastern Oregon are they found 
straying far beyond its range. 

They are eminently social birds, sometimes even breeding in colo- 
nies, and after the breeding season gathering in flocks of several hun- 
dreds. A flock often seems to have no end, reaching for miles as 
the birds scatter out and straggle noisily along through the trees. 
At other times they fly in close bodies, rising and wheeling like 
blackbirds and settling down together to pick grain in a stubble 
field. Vernon Bailey. 



STARLINGS — BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 285 

FAMILY STURNIDiE: STARLINGS. 

GENUS STURNUS. 

[493.] Sturnus vulgaris Linn. Starling. 

Primaries ten, but first quill minute ; bill straight, nasal feathers erect or 
inclined backward ; nostrils with conspicuous nasal scale. Adults in sum- 
mer : glossy greenish or purplish black, speckled with huffy brown and 
whitish ; wing and tail feathers largely edged with brownish buff ; bill 
yellow. Adults in winter : upper parts light brown ; under parts whitish, 
spotting often so conspicuous as to obscure the underlying- green and 
purple. Length : 7.50-8.50, wing 5.00-5.10, tail 2.60-2.90, bill .95-1.00. 

Distribution. — Europe and Asia ; accidental in Greenland. Introduced 
about New York city and in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon. 

Nest. — In holes in trees or about buildings. Eggs : 4 to 7, pale green- 
ish blue or bluish white. 



FAMILY ICTERIDiE: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Bill short and conical. 

.m\M^j 2. Tail feathers stiff and pointed. 
myimi Dolichonyx, p. 286. 

Fig. 350. 2'. Tail feathers normal. Fig. 351. 

3. Four outer primaries cut out . . Callothrus, p. 288. 

3. Primaries normal Molothrus, p. 287. 





Fig. 352. 
1'. Bill not short and conical. 



2. Tail feathers stiff and pointed. 

Sturnella, p. 292. 
2'. Tail feathers not stiff and pointed. 

3. Tail graduated and folded laterally. 

Quiscalus, p. 301 



3'. Tail mainly even, not folded laterally. 




4. Feet weak, for perching 
4'. Feet strong, for walking. 



Fig. 355. 

Icterus, p. 293. 



5. Claws of side toes reaching beyond middle toe ; 
males in summer black with yellow heads. 

Xanthocephalus, p. 288. 




Fig. 356. 



286 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



5'. Claws of side toes not reaching beyond middle toe. 

6. Side claws not reaching- to end of middle toe ; summer males 
blue black Scolecophagus, p. 299. 



6'. Side claws reaching to end of middle toe ; 
males with red shoulder patches. 

Agelaius, p. 289. 

GENUS DOLICHONYX. 




Fig. 357. 



494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). Bobolink. 

Bill conic-acute, cutting edges bent in; tail shorter than wing, with 
stiffened acute feathers ; wings long and pointed ; feet stout, tarsus shorter 
than middle toe and claw ; claws all very large. Adult male in spring : 
under parts wholly black ; upper parts black, with cream or buffy brown 
patch on hind neck, light streaking on wing and fore parts of back, gray- 
ish scapulars, and white hind back, rump, and upper tail coverts. Adult 
female : ground color yellowish brown, paler and plain on under parts 




Fig. 358. 



except for blackish streaks on flanks ; heavily streaked on upper parts ; 
crown with buffy brown median stripe. Adult male in fall and winter : 
similar to adult female, but streaking of upper parts blacker. Young, 
first fall and winter : like adult female. Young , first plumage : like adult 
female but more buffy, with necklace of faint dusky spots ; flank streaks 
obsolete. Male : length (skins) 6.30-7.40, wing 3.69-4.00, tail 2.47-2.70, 
bill .58-.69. Female : length (skins) 6.00-6.55, wing 3.35-3.53, tail 2.31- 
2.54, bill .57-.61. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in open prairies- and cleared 
districts from Assiniboia south through the middle states, and from the 
Atlantic west to Idaho and eastern Nevada ; migrates to the West Indies 
and South America. 

Nest. — In a slight depression in the ground, made of dried weed stems 
and grasses. Eggs : 5 to 7, from gray to reddish brown, irregularly spot- 
ted and blotched with browns and purples. 

Food. — Insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, weevils, and caterpil- 
lars ; also rice, oats, and weed seed. 

The bobolink seems to be gradually spreading westward, and 
wherever it goes adds another rare song bird to the country. ' Robert 
o' Lincoln ' is a rollicking, joyous fellow, his song bubbling up from 
a well of good spirits. No eastern orchard or meadow seems quite 
complete without him and May is not May until he has come. 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 287 

GENUS MOLOTHRUS. 

General Characters. — Bill short, stout, conic, about two thirds as long as 
head, broad ridge running well up on forehead ; wings moderate or long 
and pointed ; tail shorter than wings, even, or a little rounded ; feet strong ; 
tarsus not shorter than middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Length (male) 6.60-7.65 ater, p. 287. 

1'. Length (male) 6.00-7.10. Texas and Arizona . obscurus, p. 288. 

495. Molothrus ater (Bodd.). Cowbird. 

Adult males. — Head, neck, and chest uniform brown ; rest of plumage 
glossy black with green and purple reflections. 
Adult female : smaller than male, streaked 

brownish gray, darker above, lighter on throat. 

Young male: upper parts dull grayish brown p. ^^g 

or dark brown, feathers bordered with pale 

buffy or grayish brown and whitish ; under parts broadly streaked with 

brownish, dull buffy, or whitish. Young female : like young male, but 

paler, under parts mainly dull bufFy, streaked with grayish brown. Male: 

length (skins) 6.60-7.6.5, wing 4.15-4.56, taH 2.76-3.15, bill .68-.77. Female : 

length (skins) 6.10-7.10, wing 3.68-4.12, tail 2.43-2.77, bill .60-.67. 

Distribution. — From southern British America south throughout the 
United States, breeding west to eastern Oregon ; migrating to eastern 
Mexico. Less common in the western part of its range. 

Eggs. — Deposited, usually singly^ in nests of other birds, 8 to 12, whit- 
ish, whole surface covered with brown specks and blotches, usually heaviest 
about the larger end. 

Food. — Mainly noxious weed seed and insects, with a small amount of 
grain. 

" ' Buffalo bird' used to be one of the names of the cowbird on the 
Plains, and Major Bendire says that in the prairie states now ' one 
will rarely see a bunch of cattle without an attendant flock -of cow- 
birds, who perch on their backs, searching for parasites.' This 
occupation is not interrupted by the ordinary cares of family life, 
for the cowbird builds no nest of its own, but foists its offspring 
upon its neighbors. 

" Probably the historic cause for this remarkable habit would give 
us more charity for the bird, but it does such violence to the one 
redeeming instinct of the lowest types of man and beast, that it is 
hard not to regard the bird with unqualified aversion. Not only is 
it entirely lacking in the maternal but in the conjugal instincts, for 
it practices polyandry. On the other hand, the male cowbird is 
polygamous. . . . The only thing that can be said in favor of the 
female cowbird is that she takes pains to place her eggs where they 
are most likely to be hatched. Major Bendire gives a list of ninety- 
one birds in whose nests she has been known to leave her eggs ; but 
though this includes woodpeckers, flycatchers, orioles, thrushes, 



288 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

sparrows, vireos, wrens, and warblers, the birds most frequently 
imposed upon are so small that the cowbird's big, crowding nestling 
will be the one to survive when it is a question of size and resisting 
power." {Birds of Village and Field.) 

495a. M. a. obscurus (Gmel). Dwarf Cowbird. 

Similar to M. ater, but smaller. Male : length (skins) 6.00-7.10, wing 
3.78-4.10, tail 2.43-2.87, bill .62-.70. Female : length (skins) 5.61-6.30, 
wing 3.37-3.70, tail 2.27-2.62, bill .55-.62. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern Texas to southwestern Arizona, 
and south to Lower California and Mexico. 

^99s- — Deposited in nests of other birds, similar to those of M. ater. 

GENUS CALLOTHRUS. 

496. Callothrusrobustus(C'a6.). Red-eyed Cowbird. 

Bill shorter than head, stout, conical, distinctly ridged, upper outline 
slightly curved ; neck with soft, dense, erectile ruff ; four outer primaries 
with inner webs curiously sinuated and emarginated. Adult male : iris 
bright red ; body and erectile ruff black, with soft bronzy luster ; wings 
and tail glossed with bluish, greenish, and purplish. Adult female : dull 
black, somewhat glossed with bluish green ; neck ruffs much smaller than 
in male. Young male : sooty black, under parts with feathers edged with 
paler. Young female : paler and grayer than young male. Male : length 
(skins) 7.75-8.80, wing 4.40-4.73, tail 2.98-3.24, bill .S8-.94. Female: 
length (skins) 6.50-8.10, wing 3.84-4.16, tail 2.52-2.94, bill .78-.84. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern Texas south through eastern Mex- 
ico to Central America ; migrates to Panama. 

Eggs. — Deposited in nests of other birds, usually 4, pale bluish green, 
unspotted. 

On the coast prairies of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas the red- 
eyed cowbird may be seen on the roadside fences. His strikingly 
red eyes and handsome glossy black coat mark him at a glance from 
the other cowbirds, and when he raises his neck ruff he seems indeed 
a distinguished personage. 

GENUS XANTHOCEPHAIiUS. 

497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.). Yellow- 

headed Blackbird. 

Bill decidedly shorter than head, its depth through base less than half 
the length of the exposed culmen ; culmen straight, flattened ; sexes dif- 
ferent in size ; wing long and pointed ; tarsus nearly one fourth as long 
as wing ; claws large, lateral ones reaching beyond base of middle one. 
Adult male in summer : black except for yellow or orange of head, throat, 
and chest, and white patch on wings. A dult male in winter : similar, but 
yellow of top of head obscured by brownish tips to feathers. Adult 
female : brownish, throat and chest dull yellowish, breast mixed with 
white. Young male in first winter : similar to female, but larger and deeper 
colored. Male : length (skins) 8.60-10.10, wing 5.32-5.73, tail 3.66-4.27, 
bill .83-.99. Female : length (skins) 7.50-8.30, wing 4.33-4.64, tail 3.10- 
3.45, bill .77-.83. 

Distribution. — Western North America from British Columbia and Hud- 




YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 289 

son Bay, south across Mexican tablelands and east to Wisconsin, Indiana, 
and Texas ; casually to Ontario and the eastern United States. 

Nest. — Fastened to tule stems or rushes 10 to 30 inches above the 
water of a marsh, made of coarse marsh grasses, tules, reeds, and rushes, 
woven together and lined with finer grasses, ^ggs : 3 to 5, from grayish 
to greenish white, profusely and evenly blotched and speckled with 
browns and grays. 

Food. — Small seeds, such as wild rice, and, in cultivated districts, occa- 
sionally corn, oats, and wheat ; but mainly insects, especially grasshoppers 
and locusts, together with their eggs and larvae. 

From their breeding grounds in the sloughs and tule marshes the 
yellow -headed blackbirds scatter out and wander over the whole of 
the western plains country, appearing in flocks with grackles, red- 
wings, or cowbirds in the characteristic hordes of the fall migration, 
or in flocks by themselves in fields and meadows, along the road- 
sides, often in barnyards and corrals, and sometimes in city streets, 
flocks with pompous, yellow-caped males strutting about among 
the dull-colored females and young, talking in harsh, guttural tones. 

Noisy at all times, they are doubly so on the breeding grounds, 
where they try to sing, and their hoarse voices come up from the 
tule borders like the croaking of frogs and creaking of unoiled gates. 

As the young are leaving the nests in July, it is not unusual to 
find flocks of old males away in the hills by themselves, taking a 
vacation after their arduous duties ; but usually the fall flocks are 
made up of both sexes and young. Vernon Bailey. 

GENUS AGELAIUS. 

General Characters. — Bill shorter than head, stout at base, deeper 
than broad, high and flattened on forehead, broadly parting the feathers, 
rapidly tapering to acute point ; wings pointed, tail even or rounded ; 
claws small, lateral ones scarcely reaching to base of middle one ; sexes 
different in size. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Wing with middle coverts black at tips . . . californicus, p. 29L 
r. Wing with middle coverts bufEy, brownish, or white at tips. 
2. Smaller. 

3. Females lighter, buffy tints prevailing on upper parts. Southern 

Arizona and New Mexico sonoriensis, p. 290. 

3'. Females darlier, buffy tints not prevailing on upper parts. 

4. Winter females with little if any rusty on upper parts. Great 
Basin district to southern California . . neutralis, p. 291. 
4'. Winter females with rusty on upper parts. Oregon and Califor- 
nia, west of Cascades and Sierra Nevada . tricolor, p. 292. 
2'. Larger. 

3. Bill relatively shorter and thicker. Manitoba to Mexico. 

fortis, p. 291. 
3'. Bill relatively longer and more slender. 

4. Wings longer. Northwest coast district caurinus, p. 291. 
4'. Wings shorter. Eastern United States to base of Rocky Moun- 
tains phoeniceus, p. 290. 



290 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



brown or whitish shoulder patches. 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 360. 



498. Agelaius phoeniceus (Linn.). Red- winged Blackbird.^ 

Adult male in breeding plumage. — Black except for red and buify 

Adult male in winter : like summer 
male, but buff of wing coverts 
deeper and scapulars and inter- 
scapulars edged with rusty. 
Adult female in breeding plum- 
^ ^ age : plumage of harsh texture 
compared with the silky plum- 
age of the male ; streaked, top 
of head dark brown, with buffy 
median crown stripe and su- 
perciliary ; nape and fore part 
^ of back dark brown, lightly 
/ marked with buffy ; shoulders 
faintly tinged with red ; under 
parts whitish, heavily streaked 
with dark brown ; throat vari- 
ably tinged with creamy, buff, 
or pinkish. Adult female in win- 
ter : lighter markings of upper 
parts more conspicuous, under parts tinged with buffy. Immature male : 
epaulettes flecked with black and varying from orange to red ; black of plu- 
mage obscured by heavy rusty and buffy edgings above, and light ashy or 
brownish tips below. Young : like adult female, but throat, superciliary, 
and malar stripes yellowish ; ground color of under parts pale buffy or 
yellowish with narrow dusky streaks. Male: length (skins) 8.10-9.30, 
wing 4.58-4.95, tail 3.49-3.78, bill .88-1.00. Female: length (skins) 6.80- 
7.45, wing 3.75-4.00, tail 2.76-3.05, bill .68-.80. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America to Rocky Mountains. 
Nest. — Attached to upright stems of sedges or reeds, or to branches of 
bushes or small trees in marshes or swamps ; made compactly of dried 
grasses. Eggs : 3 to 5, pale bluish, varying to olive, marked with black, 
brown, or purplish gray, usually with pen lines and blotches. 
Food. — Injurious insects, grain, and weed seed. 

In the semi-arid parts of the west where a bit of marsh is the one 
green acre when the hills and valleys have turned brown in sum- 
mer, the marsh birds have a peculiar charm. The red-wing, with 
his black coat and the gleam of keen red from his epaulettes, is a 
strong note in the landscape, but best of all is his flute-like o-ka-lee, 
with its cool suggestions of marsh grass and cat-tails. 

498a. A. p. sonoriensis Ridgw. Sonoran Red-wing. 

Lii^e A. phoeniceus, but larger; female much lighter, buffy tints prevail- 
ing on upper parts ; throat pinkish, streaking of under parts much duller 
and less striking ; bill thicker. Male : lensfth (skins) 8.15-9.35, wing 
4.80-5.09, tail 3.38-3.98, bill .89-1.00. Feinale : length (skins) 6.80-7.86, 
wing 3.88-4.15, bill .70-.84. 

1 Agelaius phceniceus richmondi 'Nelson. Vera Cruz Red-wing. (The Auk, ^iv. 58.) 
lixke phceniceus but smaller, adult male with wing coverts deeper colored, at least in 

winter ; adult female lighter colored. 
Distribution. — Coast district of lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and south to Costa 

Rica. (Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America, ii. 335.) 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 291 

Distribution. — From the Lower Colorado Valley in southern California 
and Arizona south to Tepic, western Mexico. 

At Phoenix, Arizona, the red-wings have been seen eating a tree- 
worm which was a pest at the time. 

498d. A. p. fortis Bidgw. Thick-billed Red-wing. 

Like A. phoeniceus, " but decidedly larger, with bill relatively much 
shorter and thicker ; adult females, adult male in winter, and immature 
males similar in coloration to the same of A. p. sonoriensis, but distin- 
guished by very different measurements." (Ridgway.) Male : length 
(skins) 8.85-9.50, wing 4.86-5.21, tail 3.48-4.15, bill .78-1.04, depth of bill 
at base .50-.59. Female : length (skins) 6.80-7.68, wing 4.00-4.30, tail 
2.80-3.27, bill .67-.83, depth of bill at base .43-.50. 

Distribution. — Central North America, in migrations from Manitoba 
south to Illinois, Indian Territory, and western Texas, westward to and 
including the Rocky Mountains, and south to Arizona and Chihuahua. 

498e. A. p. neutralis Ridgw. San Diego Red-wing. 

" Similar to A. p. sonoriensis, but smaller, adult female much darker, 
with streaks less strongly contrasted above, those on under parts rather 
broader and grayer, the upper parts with little if any rusty, even in win- 
ter." (Ridgway.) Male: length (skins) 7.85-9.00, wing 4.60-5.00, tail 
3.35-3.85, biU .85-.98. Female : length (skins) 6.60-7-68, wing 3.80-4.10, 
tail 2.64-3.08, biU .73-.83. 

Distribution. — Great Basin district of United States, southward to 
southern California and northern Lower California. 

498f. A. p. caurinus Eidgw. Northwestern Red-wing. 

Similar to A. phceiiiceus, " but wings and bill longer, the latter more 
slender ; adult male with buff of middle wing coverts deeper, deep ochra- 
ceous-buff or ochraceous in winter ; adult females more heavily streaked 
with black beneath, and, in winter plumage, with upper parts much more 
conspicuously marked with rusty." (Ridgway). 3fale : length (skins) 
8.60-9.10, wing 4.57-5.10, taU 3.39-3.83, bill .90-1.01. Female: length 
(skins) 6.80-7.80, wing 3.85-4.22, tail 2.80-3.27, bill .77-.86. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast district from British Columbia south 
through western Washington and Oregon to northern California. 

499. Agelaius gubernator californicus Nelson. Bicolored 
Blackbird. 

Adult male. — Black, shoulder patch red, the middle wing coverts having 
their buffy or brownish bases concealed by black tips. Adult female in 
breeding plumage : nearly uniform blackish brown, throat buffy and 
streaked. Adult female in winter : feathers edged with rusty. Young : 
corresponding to phases of the red-wing. Male: length (skins) 7.80-8.60, 
wing 4.66-5.09, tail 3.20-3.78, bill .78-.91. Female : length (skins) 6.90- 
7.50, wing 3.97-4.23, tail 2.68-3.02, bill .73-.78. 

Distribution. — Western Oregon and northern and central coast district 
of California. 

Nest. — In or near marshes, on tufts of marsh grass or weeds, 1 to 3 
feet above the water ; made of grasses and strips of soft bark, usually 
lined with grass-tops and sometimes horsehair. Eggs : usually 2 to 4, 
pale bluish green, generally spotted, marbled, and streaked, mostly about 
the larger end, with brown, black, and purple. 



292 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



500. Agelaius tricolor {Aud.). Tbicolored Blackbird. 

Adult male. — Glossy blue black, plumage with silky luster ; epaulettes 
dark red, bordered with white, more or less ting-ed with buff ; in winter^ 
plumage softer, more glossy, and white on epaulettes more or less tinged 
with buff. Adult female : texture of plumage like that of male ; upper 
parts dusky with greenish or bronzy luster ; crown narrowly streaked ; 
scapulars and interscapulars with grayish edgings ; wings with grayish and 
Avhitish bands ; head with superciliary and malar streaks ; throat and chest 
streaked ; rest of under parts dusky, with paler edgings to feathers. Im- 
mature female, first winter : like adult female, but browner. Young: like 
female, but browner, and under parts narrowly streaked ; wings with two 
bands. Male : length (skins) 8.UU-9.05, wing 4.63-4.87, tail 3.32-3.75, bill 
.87-.95. Female: length (skins) 7.10-7.85, wing 4.11-4.32, tail 2.92-3.16, 
bill .78-.83. 

Distribution. — Valleys of Oregon, California, and Lower California, 
west of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. 

Nest and eggs similar to those of phceniceus. Eggs : 1 to 4. 

Food. — Young fed entirely on grasshoppers. 

GENUS STURNELLA. 

General Characters. — Bill about as long as head, narrowly wedge- 
shaped, acute and depressed at tip ; tail less than two thirds as long as 
wing, the feathers sharp-pointed ; wing short, tertials lengthened — reach- 




Fig. 361. 

ing almost to tips of primaries — feathers of top of head with stiffened 
glossy shafts ; outstretched feet reaching beyond tip of tail. 



neglecta, p. 293. 
hoopesi, p. 292. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Yellow of throat enoroaching on malar region . 
1'. Yellow of throat not encroaching on malar region 

501a. Sturnella magna hoopesi Stone. Texas Meadowlark. 

Adult male. — Similar to S. m. neglecta, hut yellow of throat restricted, not 
encroaching on cheeks, and yellow somewhat deeper and more intense than 
in neglecta. Adult female : similar, but yellow more orange. Young : 
colors much duller and markings less distinct ; black mark on chest only 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 293 

faintly indicated. Male : length, (skins) 7.90-9.08, wing 4.45-4.96, tail 
2.50-3.12, bill 1.19-1.40. Female : length (skins) 7.70-8.10, wing 3.95-4.32, 
taU 2.52-2.90, bUl 1.20-1.32. 

Distribution. — From southeastern Texas west to southern New Mexico 
and Arizona ; south to northern Mexico. 

501b. Sturnella magna neglect a (Aud.). Western Meadow- 
lark. 

Adult male in breeding plumage. — Crown with median buffy stripe ; lores 
yellow ; superciliary buffy ; rest of upper parts grayish brown, with buffy 
white streaks and black streaks and bars ; ^niddle of back heavily marked 
with black, and tertials. rump, and tail heavily barred ; outer tail feathers 
mainly white ; under parts bright yellow, yellow of thr4>at spreading over 
cheeks ; crescent on breast and spotting on sides black. '^ Adult female in 
breeding plumage : similar, but paler, and yellow restricted. Adults in 
winter plumage : upper parts lighter, from unworn light tips and edgings 
of feathers ; black and yellow of under parts veiled by light edgings. 
Male: length (skins) 8.31-10.14, wing 4.66-5.0S, tail 2.69-3.25, bill 1.17- 
1.44. Female : length (skms) 7.74-9.00, wing 4.12-4.59, tail 2.39-2.84, bill 
1.09-1.28. 

Distribution. — Western United States from Wisconsin, Illinois, and 
Texas to the Pacific, and from British America south to Lower California 
and northern Mexico. Resident south of 39° and in Washington and Oregon. 

Nest. — Usually at the foot of a bunch of grass, made of grass, gen- 
erally loosely covered over. Fggs : 3 to 7, generally white, spotted varia- 
bly over the entire surface with different shades of brown and purple. 

Food. — Mainly grasshoppers and their eggs, beetles, the destructive 
large black cricket, and other insects. 

The voice of the western meadow lark is so different from that of 
the eastern bird that in going west you recognize it the instant the 
pure clarion notes strike your ear, whether at a wayside station amid 
the puffing of the engine, or from the moving train when, with a 
turn of the wing, the bird flies over the car carolling as it goes, 
regardless of all but the song in its heart. " There 's the western 
meadowlark ! " you cry out in eager delight, and as the train leaves 
him behind and you lean back on the dusty car cushions, you rest in 
a world of blue sky and celestial song. The lark's notes have been 
written down in sharps and flats, but the pure, heavenly quality of 
the song can never be reproduced, 

GENUS ICTERUS. 

General Characters. — Bill about as long as head, very acute ; feet fitted 
for perching rather than walking ; tarsus not longer than middle toe and 
claw ; side toes equal, or outer longest ; tail rounded or graduated. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Plumage black and yellow or orange. • 
2. Head mainly yellow. 

3. Breast pale orange sennetti, p. 295. 

3'. Breast light lemon yellow . , nelsoni, p. 296. 

2'. Head mainly black. 



294 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

3, Under parts bright lemon yellow. 

4. Tail shorter than wing, graduated for less than length of bill. 

parisorum, p. 294. 
4'. Tail longer than wing, graduated for more than length of bill. 

audubonii, p. 294. 
3'. Under parts orange yellow or orange red. 

4. Malar region and streak over lores yellow or orange. 

bullocki, p. 298. 

4'. Whole head black galbula, p. 297. 

1'. Plumage black and brown spurius, p. 296. 

Subgenus Icterus. 

503. Icterus audubonii Giraud. Audubon Oriole. 

Adults. — Under parts bright lemon yellow with sharply contrasting black 
head, chest patch, wings, and tail ; back varying from lemon yellow to 
yellowish green ; wings with white edgings and yellowish green on cov- 
erts ; tail graduated and narrowly tipped with ligliter. Young : without 
any black, upper parts olive-green, imder parts yellow. Male : length 
(skins) 8.45-9.20, wing 3.79-4.03, tail 4.04-4.18, bill 1.01-i.ll. Female : 
length (skins) 8.00-9.30, wing 3.70-3.86, tail 3.92-4.17, bill .86-1.04. 

Distribution. — Resident from southern Texas to central and eastern 
Mexico. 

Nest. — Semi-pensile, woven of fine, wiry grasses and lined with grass- 
tops, hung usually 6 to 14 feet from the ground in mesquite trees, thickets, 
or open woods. Eggs : 3 to 5, pale bluish or grayish white, with light hair 
lines of brown and dark purple ; or else the ground color obscured by 
pale purple suffusion, blotched and streaked with brown and lavender. 

Mr. Attwaterhas twice found the Audubon oriole near San Antonio 
in the high pecan timber, and considers it a rare winter wanderer. 
Dr. Merrill states that it is resident in the lower Rio Grande Valley 
near Brownsville. In summer, he says, it is usually found in deep 
woods away from houses, but in winter is less shy and retiring. 

504. Icterus parisorum Bonap. Scott Oriole. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Black, except for bright lemon yel- 
low belly, shoulders, posterior parts of back, and white and yellow mark- 
ings on wings and tail ; rump and upper tail coverts usually tinged with 

olive. Adult male in winter : like 
summer male but white markings on 
wings broader ; feathers of back more 
or less edged with gray ; rump and 
Fig. 362. upper tail coverts more strongly 

washed with olive or gray ; flanks tinged with olive. Adult female : under 
parts greenish yellow ; upper parts olive green, becoming yellowish on 
rump and outer tail feathers, marked with grayish brown on back ; wing 
crossed by two white bars, and quills edged with whitish. Immature male: 
plumage varying from that of female to that of male, according to age. 
Young of year : similar to adult female, but with all the wing feathers 
edged and tipped with white, wing band yellowish, tail tipped with yel- 
low, breast obscured bv brownish, and yellow of under parts paler and 
greener. Male: length (skins) 7.40-8.30, wing 3.88-4.20, tail 3.12-3.62, 
bill .82-.97. Female: length (skins) 7.25-8.00, wing 3.72-4.02, tail 3.20- 
3.48, bUl .80-.90. 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 295 

Semarks. — Dr. Allen has recorded two females showing- great variation 
in plumage — both with throat and breast black, and one with whole head 
blackish like yearling males, the other with head like the ordinary adult 
female. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone from western Texas to 
California, and from southern parts of Utah and Nevada south to Lower 
California and Mexico. 

Nest. — Woven of grass, yucca fibers, horsehair, cotton, and string when 
available, placed usually in yuccas, but sometimes in other trees. Eggs : 
2 to 4, pale blue, blotched and streaked with browns and grays. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, larvte, fruit, and berries. 

The name parisorum is associated with interesting desert canyons 
whose wide -sloping sides are covered with stones, agaves, dasylirions, 
yuccas, and other arid thorn brush, and crowned with the fouquiera 
whose widely spreading arms are silhouetted against the blue sky. 
In the midst of a cactus wren's song, it may be, you will hear the 
clear meadowlark-like note of the oriole. One that we found in such 
a situation in New Mexico was a brilliant black and lemon adult in 
a low juniper feeding a brood of dingy greenish yellow young who 
looked like commoners in camp clothes beside a personage in broad- 
cloth. Although his family were grown and picking about feeding 
themselves, their indulgent parent was diligently hunting caterpillars 
for them, having time for only an occasional outburst of his beauti- 
ful song. On the hills back of the Pecos River we often found pa7H- 
soriim nests in the yuccas, sometimes in the same one with a white- 
necked raven's nest. They were generally hung under the sharp 
drooping blades of the yucca and woven of fibers frayed from the 
edges of yucca leaves. 

In the Chisos Mountains, Mr. Bailey often found the orioles feed- 
ing among the flowers of a giant agave, the greenish yellow color 
of which they match in a suggestively protective manner. 

Subgenus Pendulinus. 

505. Icterus cucuUatus sennetti Ridgw. Sennett Okiole. 

Adult male. — Facial mask, throat, back, wings, and tail black, wings with 
white ; rest of plumage deep cadmium yellow. Adult female : under parts 
pale gamboge, back and scapulars grayish. Male : length (skins) 7.40- 
7.86, wing 3.17-3.36, tail 3.46-3.90, bill .78-.81. Female: length (skins) 
7.00-7.50, wing 3.07-3.20, tail 3.30-3.48, bill .72-.77. 

Distribution. — From the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, south to 
Mexico. 

In the narrow strip between the Rio Coloral and the Mexican line 
in Texas, where the dense, thorny thickets are full of cactus and low 
yucca trees, the Sennett oriole makes its home. Here, as we were 
looking for the nest of a verdin one day, an oriole flew from under 
the drooping spears of a yucca. On inspection we found one of the 




296 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

most skillfully wrought nests a bird ever made, a perfect basket, 
hung by the handle to the drooping bayonets in such a way that the 
sharp poii^ts protected it and yet left the bird an easy entrance. The 
nest was made of yucca fiber, decorative touches being given by bits 
of gray moss stuck on here and there. 

505a. Icterus cucuUatus nelsoni Bidgw. Arizona Hooded 

Oriole. 

Adult male. — Plumage yellow, except for black of oval throat patch, 

fore part of back, wings, and tail, white bars and edgings of wings, and 

tip of tail. Adult female : plain yellow below ; olive 

green above, washed with gray on back ; wings 

brownish with two white bands and whitish edgings 

to quills. , Young males in second year : like adult 

females, but throat patch as in males. Young in 

first year: like adult female, but colors duller, 

plumage especially on upper parts suffused with 

Fig. 363. ' brownish. Male : length (skins) 6.90-7.80, wing 

3.40-3.56, tail 3.22-3.78, bill .82-.87. Female: 

length (skins) 6.90-7.30, wing 3.18-3.26, tail 3.17-3.28, bill .78-.82. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Tepie, western Mexico, and Lower Califor- 
nia north to southwestern New Mexico, Arizona, and through the southern 
half of California west of the Sierra Nevada. 

Nest. — Cup-shaped, semipensile or securely attached to twigs on sides, 
woven of materials like fresh wiry grass and yucca fibers, and placed in 
such trees as sycamores, oaks, blue gums, figs, and palms ; usually made 
of Spanish moss, often built in tufts of moss. Eggs : 3 to 5, speckled with 
hair brown and with zigzag markings. 

Food. — Insects and larvae, including hairless caterpillars and small 
grasshoppers. 

In southern California towns nelsoni nests familiarly in fan palms 
on the streets, but in the country he affects the chaparral, coming 
into sight only as he makes short sallies into the air or dashes past 
you from one section of brush to another. 

He sings when out of sight, but the song is delivered with such 
fervor that you can follow him by it when he is invisible. It is a 
typical oriole song, a clear whistle with a rhythmic rise and fall, 
and a chatter interposed between the high and low notes that sounds 
as if he were taking breath. His mate is a quasi-musician, giving 
his chatter and the first strain of his song. 

In southern Arizona, where nelsoni is most abundant. Major Ben- 
dire says that its favorite haunts are dense, shady groves of cotton- 
woods and mesquites in the creek bottoms. 

506. Icterus spurius {Linn.). Orchard Oriole. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Black except for dark chestnut belly, 
shoulders, and hinder part of back ; brown and whitish edgings of wings, 
and light tip to tail. Adult male in fall and winter : like summer male, 
but feathers of scapulars, interscapulars, and sometimes head and neck, 
edged with buffy gray, olive, or chestnut ; those of under parts sometimes 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 297 

edged with yellowish. Adult female : under parts plain canary yellow ; 
upper parts olive green, grayish brown across back ; wings brownish, with 
white bars and edgings. Male in second year : like adult female, but lores and 
throat black. The rest of the black and the chestnut appear in increasingly 
large patches till the adult plumage is reached. Young in Jirst plumage : 
similar to female, but lighter wing markings tipped with buff. Male : length 
(skins) 5.80-6.50, wing 2.91-3.25, tail 2.50-2.95, bill .59-.69. Female: 
length (skins) 5.90-6.30, wing 2.70-3.05, tail 2.50-2.90, bill .60-.68. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from the east- 
ern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, and Texas ; migrates to 
Cuba and South America. 

Nest. — Basket-like, sometimes pensile, woven of fresh grass and placed 
in bushes or trees usually 12 to 20 feet from the ground. Eggs : usually 4 
to 6, bluish white, marked most heavily about the larger end with blotches 
and scrawls of browns and purples. 

Food. — Mainly small beetles, plant lice, flies, hairless caterpillars, cab- 
bage worms, grasshoppers, rose bugs, and larvae. 

In the prairie states, Major Bendire says, the orchard oriole is 
found mainly in trees and shrubbery along streams. When living in 
orchards and gardens it makes itself most useful by destroying the 
insects with which the fruit and vegetable grower have to contend. 

Subgenus Yphantes. 

507. Icterus galbula (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Under parts and hinder part of 
back bright orange or orange red ; head, neck, and fore parts of back black ; 
wings with yellow shoulder patch and 
white wing bar ; tail black with 
yellow corners. Adult male in winter : 
like summer male, but scapulars and 
interscapulars edged with dull orange ; 
orange of rump and upper tail coverts 
more or less obscured with olive ; 
white wing edgings broader. Adult 
female in summer : under parts orange 
or brownish yellow, varying from 
almost unmarked to the black color 
pattern of male in duller, less uni- 
form style ; upper parts yellowish Yrom Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
olive, streaked more or less with Agriculture. 
black, if not with solid black of male ; Fig. 364. 
rump yellowish, tail greenish yellow ; wings brownish, with whitish wing 
bars. Adult female in winter: like summer female, but plumage softer and 
back tinged with gray. Immature male : varying between adult male and 
female or indistinguishable from female. Young in first fall and winter : 
similar to adult females, which are without black on throat. Young, first 
■plumage: like lighter colored female, but upper parts grayer and under 
parts with softer colors. Male : length (skins) 6.80-7.40, wing 3.60-4.02, 
tail 2.78-3.15, bill .69-.78. Female : length (skms) 6.20-6.70, wing 3.35- 
3.62, tail 2.60-2.83, bill .63-.71. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone of eastern North America from 
latitude 55° in Saskatchewan to Texas, west to the Rocky Mountains; 
migrates through eastern Mexico to Panama. 




298 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

Nest. — Long-, bag-shaped, hung- from the rim, usually to slender 
branches 8 to 50 feet from the ground ; woven of hemp, horsehair, or 
twine, lined largely with hair and grass. Eggs : 4 to 6, grayish, irregu- 
larly streaked and blotched, most heavily about the larger end, with black, 
brown, and lavender. 

Food. — Mainly noxious insects and larvae, including click beetles, 
locusts, grasshoppers, weevils, ants, plant lice, and caterpillars. 

The Baltimore oriole goes as far west as Colorado and Montana, 
but hullocki, its western congener, is more abundant w^est of the 
Plains. 

508. Icterus buUocki {Swains.). Bullock Oriole. 

Adult male in summer. — Under parts, sides of head and neck, and su- 
perciliary orange ; narrow throat patch, crown, back of neck, back, and 

stripe through eye, black ; 
wings with conspicuous white 
patch and edgings ; tail with 
middle feathers black, chan- 
ging to almost -pure yellow on 
outer feathers. Adult male 
in winter : like summer male, 
but scapulars and interscapu- 
lars edged with gray, feath- 
ers of rump and upper tail 
coverts tipped with gray, of 
under parts edged with whit- 
Fig. 365. ish. Adult female : under 
parts lemon yellow, fading 
to gray on belly ; throat usually with more or less of black ; upper parts 
olivaceous, fading to brownish and sojuetimes streaked with black on 
back, but brightening to olive yellow or deeper on rump and tail ; wings 
with white bands. Immature male in second year : similar to adult female, 
but lores and median line of throat black. Young in first plumage : 
similar to female, but colors duller, washed more' or less with huffy, with no 
trace of black on the throat, and yellow sometimes almost wanting. Male : 
length (skins) G.75-7.60, wing 3.82-4.03, tail 2.98-3.22, bill .65-.81. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 6.60-7.50, wing 3.52-3.87, tail 2.73-3.12, bill .67-.78. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones of western 
North America from southern parts of British Columbia, Alberta, and 
Assiniboia, south to western Texas and Lower California ; and from Da- 
kota and Texas to the Pacific ; migrates to the valley of Mexico and 
Puebla. 

Nest. — Hung by rim and fastened to sides of a branch 6 to 40 feet from 
the ground, often in bunches of mistletoe in cottonwoods, poplars, and 
mesquites, woven of horsehair or vegetable fibers and inner bark, lined 
with horsehair, down, and wool. Eggs : 3 to 6, grayish or bluish white or 
pale buffy, marked with irregular hair lines, mainly around the larger 
end. 

Food. — Principally injurious insects and larvae, with a few wild berries. 

In southern California, where the Arizona hooded and Bullock 
orioles occur together, the light, yellow-headed nelsoni usually comes 
north later and lives largely in the chaparral, while the dark orange 




BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 299 

bullocki lives in the treetops. The neighborhood of water is not 
considered a necessity by the Bullock, but in irrigated districts it is 
especially fond of the sunny cotton wood hedges bordering irrigation 
ditches, and abounds on the rolling prairie country, finding most 
congenial nesting grounds in the groves that fringe the streams. It 
also nests in towns, as the Baltimore oriole does in the east. When 
possible it hangs its nest from a tall sycamore or other large decidu- 
ous tree, but if nothing better offers builds in low willows. In the 
bottom lands near Chinese Camp, on the Yosemite Valley road, we 
have seen small willows fairly hung with the bag-like nests. The 
young birds are much less skilful builders than the adults, Mr. Illing- 
worth notes, their nests being loosely supported and made of coarse 
vegetable fibers instead of horsehair and twine. 

In general habits as well as appearance bullocki resembles the Balti- 
more oriole. The ranges of the two birds overlap along the eastern 
part of the range of bullocki. 

In regard to the food of the hooded and Bullock orioles Mr. Illing- 
worth says : ' ' The orioles are very beneficial to the horticulturist, 
although they eat some early fruit, such as berries, cherries, etc., but 
no fruit man will begrudge them these if he thoroughly understands 
their habits. The chief food of the orioles consists of insects and 
injurious caterpillars, and I have often watched them while they 
were searching among the branches for this latter food. They are 
particularly fond of a small green caterpillar that destroyed the foli- 
age of the prune-trees a few years ago. The orioles are often seen 
in the berry patches, but they are usually in search of insects, as is 
proven by the examination of a great number of stomachs." {The 
Condor, July, 1901, p. 100.) 

In Phoenix, Arizona, they have been seen eating a tree caterpillar, 
which was a pest at the time. 

GENUS SCOLECOPHAQUS. 

General Characters. — Bill not longer than head, slender like that of a 
robin, tip decurved, cutting- edges bent in ; wings pointed, longer than 
tail ; side toes short, with moderate claws. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES IN SUMMER PLUMAGE. 

1. Plumage glossy black with faint greenish luster ; bill stout. Nebraska 

to the Pacific cyanocephalus, p. 300. 

1'. Plumage glossy greenish black ; bill slender. Colorado to Atlantic. 

carolinus, p. 299. 

509. ScolecophagUS carolinus (Mull.). Rusty Blackbird. 

Adult male in summer. — Uniform glossy black, with bluish luster on 
head and neck and bluish green luster on body ; under tail coverts more 
or less edged with whitish. Adult male in winter : black, more or less 



300 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 

obscured by rusty brown above and buffy below. Adult female in summer: 
brownish slate, faintly glossed with bluish green on upper parts. Adult 
female in winter : brownish gray or slaty, washed with rusty above and 
buffy beneath. Young : like female in winter, but colors duller and plum- 
age looser ; wings with rusty bands. Male : length (skins) 8.25-9.30, wing 
4.50-4.60, tail 3.89-3.65, bill .72-.78. Female: length (skins) 7.80-8.30, 
wing 4.21-4.39, tail 3.11-3.30, bill .68-.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone from Alaska and Hudson Bay 
south to northern New York, New England, and Michigan, and west in the 
United States to western NelDraska and Colorado ; migrates to the Gulf of 
Mexico. 

Nest. — A bulky structure of dried twigs, shreds of bark, and mosses, 
placed in bushes. Eggs : 2 to 8, pale bluish green, olive, or rusty brown, 
speckled or blotched with brown. 

Food. — Preferably animal matter, including insects, especially beetles 
and grasshoppers ; also grain and weed seed. 

The rusty blackbird is mainly a bird of the eastern states, but 
occasionally goes as far west as the eastern slope of the Rock}^ 
Mountains. Unlike most other blackbirds, it is fond of forests. 

510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.). Brewek 
Blackbird. 
Adult male in summer. — Glossy greenish black, head and neck purplish 

black. Adult male in winter : similar 
to summer male, but more highly 
Adult female in summer : 
head, neck, and under parts brown- 
Fig. 36b. jgj^ gray, faintly glossed with violet 
on head and neck and with green on under parts ; upper parts darker, 
wings and tail more glossed with bluish green. Adult female in winter : 
similar to summer female, but paler, more bufPy gray anteriorly. Imma- 
ture male injirst winter: like adult male, but feathers largely tipped with 
grayish brown. You7ig : like winter females, but feathers with different 
texture and without gloss. Male: length (skins) '8.40-9.75, wing 4.73-5.27, 
tail 3.62-4.22, bill .83-.93. Female : length (skins) 7.80-8.70, wing 4.56- 
4.71, tail 3.43-3.65, bill .75-. 82. 

Distribution. — Transition and Upper Sonoran zone from Manitoba and 
British Columbia south in the mountains to Lower California and Guate- 
mala, and from northwestern Minnesota and Nebraska west to the Pacific. 
Nest. — Low, in trees or bushes made of sticks, plant stalks, grass, 
bark, and rootlets, generally cemented with earth or manure, and lined 
with rootlets or hair. Fggs : usually 4 to 6, grayish or greenish ground 
color, variably marked but usually profusely blotched, streaked, and 
spotted with browns and lavender. 

Food. — Largely grain, weed seed, and grasshoppers. 

The Brewer blackbird, whose glossy blue black coat makes him 
one of the handsomest of his race, is the dooryard blackbird of city 
and country. He often nests in oaks beside ranch houses, and lords 
it over the barnyard fowls with great airs of proprietorship. 

Like all blackbirds he has mannerisms. When disturbed at the 
nest he spreads his tail nervously and calls chack, and when sitting 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 301 

on a fence sometimes looks at you out of his pale yellow eyes and 
then bristles up and gives a loud shrill whistle. 

Although quick to appreciate the advantages of civilization, 
cyanocephalus is by no means exclusively a dooryard bird, nesting 
principally, indeed, in unsettled districts, in willows in the pine 
belt of Arizona and in sagebrush around the edges of marshes in 
the arid Great Basin country. It nests in much smaller colonies 
than many of the blackbirds, five to ten pairs being the common 
number. 

After the breeding season the birds may be seen as high as tim- 
berline on Mt. Shasta, solemnly walking over the rocks around snow 
streams, or as low down as sea-level, at places like Santa Cruz, 
where they run around on the hard sand beach, feeding and bathing 
in the shallows filled with seaweed. 

Their food varies with the season and the locality. On ranches 
they do a great deal of good by following the plough and destroying 
grubs, but after the nesting season they gather in large flocks and 
often do serious harm in the grain fields. 

GENUS QUISCALUS. 

General Characters. — Bill about as long as head, crow-like, but more 
tapering and acute ; tail graduated and folded laterally ; feet stout ; tar- 
sus about equal to middle toe and claw. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

L Body bronzy, size medium aeneus, p. 301. 

1'. Body greenish, size very large macrourus, p. 302. 

Subgenus Quiscalus. 

511b. Quiscalus quiscula ssneus (Ridgw.). Bronzed 
Gjrackle. 

Adult male. — Whole head and 
green, in sharp contrast to uni- 
form bronze of body ; wings and 
tail plum purple, not metallic. 
Adult female : similar, but smaller 
and duller. Young : from plain 
dark brown to colors of adults. 
Male: length (skins) 10.90-12.50, 
wing 5.38-6.03, bill 1.21-1.32. 
Female : length (skins) 9.25- 
10.60, wing 4.83-5.18. tail 4.16- 
4.46, bill 1.13-1.23, 

Distribution. — From Great 
Slave Lake south to Louisiana '^- ' _^ .-^. -^ _ ..C - -~° 

and western Texas, and from the ^ t? . • i c ' n c. t^ ^ ^^ . . ,^ 
.„ , . 1 0.1- TVT From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

Aileghanies and northern JNew -^ig 367. 

England west to the Rocky Moun- 
tains ; migrating to the southeastern states except the coast districts. 
Breeds throughout its range, but chiefly north of its winter range. 




302 

Nest. — A coarse and bulky but compact structure of dried grasses, 
built in trees (often cavities). Eggs: 3 to 7,. pale green or greenish blue, 
olive or olive whitish, coarsely spotted and irregularly lined with brown 
and black. 

Food. — Largely noxious insects, corn, and the small grains. 

The bronzed grackles may be seen as far west as the eastern base 
of the Rocky Mountains. Like all the grackles they spend a good 
share of their time on the ground walking over the grass, turning 
their heads this way and that, when the sun glances from their hand- 
some bronzy backs. When they tly their tails turn into rudders, and 
they move along with as straight and steady a course as a skill- 
fully guided boat. Their gurgling, squeaky notes cannot be called 
musical, but have a crisp spring sound, and their clatter has a 
hearty social ring as they fill a treetop or scatter over a park lawn. 
Although they do considerable damage when descending in hord°es 
on grain fields, their steady work through the year balances on the 
right side, for they are not only assiduous in following the plough 
for grubs, but devote themselves largely to catching grasshoppers, 
crickets, locusts, and other destructive insects. 

Subgenus Megaquisealus= 

513a. Quiscalus major macrourus (-Swams.). Great-tailed 
Grackle : Jackdaw. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, and breast purple, changing through steel 
blue to greenish on belly and back. Adult female : under parts hair brown ; 
head dark brown, darkening on back to blackish, glossed with green and 
purple. Immature male {first year) : upper parts black, more or less 
glossed with bluish green; under parts sooty black. Young: like adult 
female, but browner, without gloss above, more buffy below. Male: 
length (skins) 15.50-18.00, wing 7.25-7.83, tail 7.70-9.25, bill 1.56-1.89. 
Female: length (skins) 11.20-14.00, wing 5.60-6.24, tail 5.08-6.50, bill 
1.33-1.55. 

Distribution. — Southern Texas and south through Mexico (west to edge 
of plateau) to northern South America. 

Nest. — Bulky, made largely of dried grass and Spanish moss, usually 
with an inside coating of mud ; built in low trees or bushes, often in 
swampy places, sometimes in towns. Eggs : 3 to 5, pale bluish or green- 
ish, drab, olive, or purplish gray, grotesquely marked with brown and 
black lines. 

Food. — Insects and their larvae, crustaceans, dead fish, seeds, and 
grain. 

The jackdaws, as the grackles are called in southern Texas, nest 
in the ' oak motts ' of the" shin oak prairie between Corpus Christ! 
and Brownsville. We found them building the last of April at San 
Ignatia mott, an oasis-like grove in the middle of the prairie. They 
made the noisiest blackbird colony one could wish to camp below ; 
and when to their squeaking clangor and hubbub was added the 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 303 

shrill clatter of the scissor-tail flycatchers, the rattle of woodpeckers, 
the vociferations of mockingbirds, the cooing of doves, the piping 
notes of the vermilion flycatcher, and the voices of passing birds, it 
was quite like camping in an aviary. Though usually visited by 
only an occasional Mexican, the birds went about their business as 
if camp-fires were an everyday occurrence, and paid little heed to 
us except when we shot a rattlesnake or made other undue signs of 
our presence. 

Much to our surprise the blackbirds sang in notes that were sweet 
and astonishingly like the call-notes of the goldfinch. But they 
appeared particularly fond of making a noise that sounded like the 
breaking of sticks, and it took a prominent part in a ludicrous per- 
formance which they went through. Seated on an oak top, where 
his humble spouse could see him to the best advantage, an old male 
would begin by spreading his wings and tail to their fullest 
breadth and making a crackling ' breaking brush ' sound which he 
evidently considered a striking prelude. This done he would 
quiver his wings frantically and opening wide his bill emit a high 
falsetto squeal, quee-ee, quee-ee, quee-ee, quee-ee, perhaps attuned to 
the feminine blackbird ear. But his coup d'etat, which should have 
wrung admiration from the most unappreciative mate, consisted in 
striking an attitude, his long bill pointed as nearly straight to the 
sky as his neck would permit. Posed in this way he would sit like 
a statue, with a most ludicrous air of greatness. Incredible as it 
may appear, instead of standing spellbound before him, his spouse, 
practical housewife that she was, whatever her secret admiration 
may have been, through all his lordship's play calmly went about 
gathering sticks. 

FAMILY FRINGILLIDiE : FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

KEY TO GENEKA. 

1. Wing- conspicuously long and pointed, prima- 
ries exceeding secondaries by nearly or 

more than twice the length of tarsus. _. 

Fig. 368. 

2. Tips of bill crossed in adults Loxia, p. 313. 

2'. Tips of bill not crossed. 

3. Depth of bill at base greater than length of hind toe with 
claw . Coccothraustes, p. 307. 

3'. Depth of bill at base much less than length of hind toe 
with claw. 
4. Hind claw longer than its toe. 




304 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 




5. Wing 2.75-3.10 . 



. . . Acanthis, p. 318. 



Fig. 371. 




5'. Wing 3.80-4.50. 

6. Nostril wholly concealed ; plumage blackish or 
brown, sometimes marked with rose or white. 

Leucosticte, p. 315. 

6.' Nostril partly exposed . . . Passerina, p. 325. 




4'. Hind claw shorter than its toe. 

5. Upper tail coverts pointed. 

Rhynchophanes, p. 328. 

5'. Upper tail coverts not pointed ; males largely reddish, 
(part of) Carpodacus, p. 309. 
1'. Wing not conspicuously long and pointed, primaries exceeding 
secondaries by less than twice the length of tarsus. 
2. Primaries exceeding secondaries by more than length of 
tarsus. 
3. Outer tail feathers marked with white or yellow. 



4. Tail marked with yellow .... Spinus, p. 323. 
374. 4\ Tail marked with white. 



5. Under wing coverts yellow or rose ; plumage largely 
black in males, streaked in females. 

Zamelodia, p. 371. 



5'. Under wing coverts not yellow 
or rose. 
6. Tail graduated. 

Chondestes, p. 336. 
6'. Tail nearly even or emargi- 
nate. 




Fig. 375. 




Fig 376. 




Fig. 377. 



Fig. 378. 



7. Hind claw longer than its toe, and not sharply 
curved CalcariuF, p. 325. 

7'. Hind claw shorter than its toe, and sharply 
curved. 

8. Plumage streaked, largely broAvn. 

Pooecc tes, p. 329. 

8'. Plumage unstreaked, summer males yellow 
beneath .... Astragalinus, p. 319. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



305 




Fig, 379. 



3'. Outer tail feathers not marked with white or yellow. 
4. Upper parts streaked. 



5. Under parts more or less yeUow . . Spiza, p. 377. 



5'. Under parts mainly gray ; 
males with chin and throat 
black . Passer, p. 324. 
4'. Upper parts not streaked. 



Fig. 380. 




5. Nostrils concealed, plumage rose, or gray mixed with 
orange brown Pinicola, p. .308. 



Fig. 381 





o. Nostrils exposed, males blue . . Guiraca, p. 373. 

2'. Primaries exceeding secondaries by less than length of 

tarsus. 

3. Head crested. 

4. Upper mandible 

greatly curved. 
Pyrrhuloxia, p. 370. Fig. 382. 



4'. Upper mandible only slightly curved. 

Cardinalis, p. 



3'. Head not crested. 

4. Tarsus longer than middle toe with claw. 
5. Hind claw longer than its toe. 




6. Tail with white 
outer tips (ex- 
cept fuscus 
group). 
Pipilo, p. 36.3. 



6. Tail with white edges, plumage largely gray or 
black Junco, p. 345. 




Fig. 385. 



5'. Hind claw shorter than its toe. 

6. Tail black Amphispiza, p. 350. 

6'. Tail not black. 

7. Tail olive green . . . Arremonops, p. 363. 
7'. Tail brown. 

8. Tail deeply eraarginate . Spizella, p. 341. 
8'. Tail rounded or graduated. 



306 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



9. Wing rounded or truncate at 
tip. 

Fig. 386. 

10. Edge of wing yellow . Peuceea, p. .352. 
10'. Edge of wing white or grayish. 

Aimophila, p. 353. 

9'. Wing rather pointed at tip (except Z. alhi- 
coUis, in which tarsus is same length as 
middle toe with claw). 

Zonotrichia, p. 337. 



4'. Tarsus about equal to middle toe with claw. 
5. Inner claw reaching beyond tip of middle toe. 







6. Wings and tail green. 

Oreospiza, p. 368. 



6'. Wings and tail rufous. 

Passerella, p. 3G0. Fig. 388. 



5 . Inner claw not reaching to tip of middle toe. 



6. Length about 8 to 9. 

(fuscus group) Pipilo, p. 363. 



6'. Length less than 8. 
7. Wing with whitish patches Fig. 390. 

(summer males black) Calamospiza, p. 377. 
7'. Wing without white patches. 

, 8. Under mandible decidedly deeper than upper ; 
2 adult males with blue, and sometimes red, 

Fig. 391. green, or purple . . Cyaiiospiza, p. 374. 

8. Upper mandible deeper or equal to under. 
9. Tail feathers sharp-pointed at tip. 
10. Bill sharply curved. 

Sporophila, p. 376. 
10'. Bill not sharply curved. 

Ammodramus, p. 330. 



9. Tail feathers not sharp-pointed at tip. 

10. Tail graduated . Melospiza, p. 355. 



10'. Tail even or emarginate, adult males with 
plumage partly reddish. 

CarpodaQus, p. 309. 




Fig. 392. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



307 



GENUS COCCOTHRAUSTES. 
Subgenus Hesperiphona. 

514a. Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus (Ridgw.). 

Western Evening Grosbeak. 

Bill large, swollen, depth at base greater than length of hind toe with 
claw ; wing long, pointed, more than five times as long as tarsus ; tail 
short, emarginate ; feet small and 
weak ; tarsus little if any longer 
than culmen. Adult male : forehead 
and superciliary bright yellow ; 
crown, wings, and tail black, wings 
with large white patches ; rest of 
upper parts olive, grading through 
yellowish green to yellow on rump ; 
under parts greenish yellow, be- 
coming lemon yellow on under wing 
and tail coverts. Adult female : 
prevailing color yellowish or yellow- 
ish brown ; throat bordered by 
dusky ; whitish patch on wings. 
Young : similar to female, but duller 
and markings less defined. Male : 
length (skins), 6.70-7.30, wing 4.18- 
4.59, tail 2.50-2.87, bill .78-.89, 
width of bill at base .49-.60. Fe- 
male : length (skins), 6.50-7.30, wing 
4, 10-4.40, taU 2.40-2.78, bill .74- 
83, width of bill at base, 51.-57. 

Distrihition. — Breeds in Cana- 
dian and Hudsonian zones in western United States from the Plains to the 
Pacific, and south through mountains of northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — 15 to 50 feet from the groimd in the top of a conifer or thick 
willow, a comparatively flat, slight structure of small sticks, roots, and 
sometimes tree lichens lined with finer roots. Eggs : 3 or 4, clear green, 
blotched with pale brown. 

Food. — Insects, such as caterpillars ; seeds, and the fruit or buds of mis- 
tletoe, hackberry, box elder, juniper, maple, ash, alder, and related 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 393. 



In the Canadian zone forests after the nesting season you occa- 
sionally see a wandering flock of evening grosbeaks. Sometimes 
there will be only seven or eight in the flock, sometimes twenty -five 
or more. Their commonest call, as they pass over or light in a fir top, 
is a short whistle that can always be recognized by its wild, free 
quality, but they have also a loud ' beady ' note something like 
that of the waxwing. 

In the mountains of Arizona the grosbeaks breed in canyons and 
near water, Dr. Mearns says, afterwards descending to the oaks of 
the foothills with their young. 

In winter, grosbeaks are very common in Portland, Oregon, where 
Mr. Anthony says large flocks feed in the maples, picking up the 
fallen seeds at the feet of passers-by. 



308 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

On a Sierra grade we have passed a flock busily gathering wild 
cherries in a bush beside the road, and when camped imder the firs 
of Mt. Shasta have had wandering bands stop for a drink from the 
camp brook, delighting us by their striking yellow and white 
plumage. Although they are so highly colored and in flight their 
white wing patches make such prominent directive marks, this very 
yellow and white coloration often becomes positively protective. 
While watching the birds on Mt. Shasta one day, I was struck by 
the conspicuousness of one that flew across an open space. As it lit 
on a dead stub whose silvery branches were touched with yellow 
lichen, to my amazement it simply vanished. Its peculiar greenish 
yellow toned in perfectly with the greenish yellow of the lichen. 
The breeding range of the grosbeak is largely coincident with the 
range of the lichen, the lichen being a striking feature of the forests 
of the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and northern Rockies, so that the 
unusual coloration of the bird may be of marked significance. 

GENUS PINICOLA. 

Bill short, broad, and thick, upper mandible strongly curved ; nasal 

plumules conspicuous, hiding- nostrils ; 
^^^^^ wing- about five times as long- as tar- 
fesi^ii^^iiaBB^^ sus ; tail long-, emarg-inate ; feet small, 
tarsus not longer than middle toe 
Fig. 394. without claw. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Feathers of back with conspicuously dusky centers. 

alascensis, p. 309. 
1'. Feathers of back without distinctly dusky centers. 

2. Bill and body smaller. High mountains of California. 

californica, p. 308. 
2'. Bill and body larger. Rocky Mountains . . . montana, p. 308. 

515a. Pinicola enucleator montana Bidgw. Rocky Moun- 
tain Pine Grosbeak. 

Like P. e. californica, but larger and slightly darker, adult male carmine 
red instead of vermilion. Male : length (skins). 8.00-8.55, wing 4.72-4.86, 
tail 3.67-4.00, bill .61-.68. Female : length (skins), 8.00-8.30, wing 4.65- 
4.69,_ tail 3.48-3.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Hudsonian zone in the Rocky Mountains from 
Montana and Idaho to New Mexico. 

Nest. — A rather flat thin structure, largely of fine rootlets placed in 
coniferous trees. Eggs : greenish or bluish, spotted with brown and 
black. 

Food. — Caterpillars, cocoons, coniferous seeds, needles, buds, and blos- 
soms. 

515b. P. e. calif ornica Pnce. California Pine Grosbeak. 

Adult male. — Light vermilion red, head slightly tinged with yellow and 
pink, and changing to ash gray on scapulars, belly, flanks, and under tail 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 309 

coverts ; plumage everywhere gray beneath the surface, giving an effect 
of immaturity ; scapulars and feathers of the central hack with only faint 
trace of dusky centers ; wings and tail dusky, feathers tipped and edged with 
whitish. Adult female : general color clear ash gray, bright tawny yellow 
on top and sides of head, back of neck, and middle of breast ; tail with 
faint yellow wash on upper coverts. Young : like female, but brownish 
gray, with brownish and grayish edgings to wings and tail. Male : length 
(skins), 7.75, wing 4.33-4.52, tail 3.60-4.21, bill .55-.59. Female : length 
(skins), 7.40-7.95, wing 4.05-4.25, taU 3.58-4.05, bill .55-.62. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Hudsonian zone in the higher parts of the 
Sierra Nevada, central California. 

The pine grosbeaks are associated with patches of snow and furry 
hemlocks on the mountain heights where Townsend solitaires live 
and nutcrackers come from the dwarf pines of the peaks. 

The California form of Pinicola is found in the high Sierra, and 
in July, 1900, when climbing the wooded side of the old crater of 
Lincoln Peak, we had the good fortune to meet with a pair of the 
lovely birds at 7800 feet. They were as characteristically tame and 
trustful as they always are in gunless regions. Flying down to a 
snowbank in front of us they hopped over its surface, busily picking 
up what we supposed to be seeds from the hemlock cones, quite 
regardless of us, though so near that we could easily have photo- 
graphed them had the evergreens let in enough light for a snap-shot. 

Afterwards, in camp, three hundred feet lower, a number of the 
grosbeaks stopped at diHerent times in the beautiful little hemlocks 
over our tent. Most of them were in the yellowish plumage, but 
one or two were rare rose-colored beauties that would excite the 
admiration of the most insensible. While resting they gave their 
soft call-notes and warbled their sweet rolling song, and though they 
were soon off and away they had lent a new distinction to the hem- 
locks that, in memory, will always be graced by their gentle presence. 

515c. P. e. alascensis Bidgw. Alaskan Pine Grosbeak. 

Adult male. — Body mainly red, pinkish in winter, fading to gray on 
belly; hack with centers of feathers strikingly dark brownish; wings with 
two white bars, whitish tips, and edgings ; bill short and turgid,^ upper 
mandible only slightly longer than lower. Adult female : top and sides of 
head and upper tail coverts tawny yellow, dark centers of feathers^ of hack 
distinctly brownish. Male : length (skins), 8.60-9.69, wing 4.41-5.00, tail 
3.34-4.03, bill .55-.60. Female : length (skins), 7.69-8.70, wing 4.48-4.73, 
tail 3.46-3.84, bill .57-.61. 

Distribution. — Northwestern North America except Pacific coast, in- 
cluding wooded interior of Alaska ; south in winter to Montana. 

GENUS CARPODACUS. 

General Characters. — BiW shorter than head, conical, thick, its depth at 
base greater than width ; tarsus short, about equal to middle toe with 
claw. 



310 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

KEY TO ADULT MALE CARPODACUS. 

1. Tail emarginate. 

2. Top of head strikingly brighter than rump. 

3. Under tail coverts conspicuously streaked . . . cassini, p. 311. 
3'. Under tail coverts not conspicuously streaked. Eastern United 

States . purpureas, p. 310. 

2'. Top of head about color of rump .... californicus, p. 310. 
1'. Tail even. 

2. Wings longer, feet smaller frontalis, p. 312. 

2'. Wings shorter, feet larger dementis, p. 313. 

Subgenus Carpodacus. 

517. Carpodacus purpureas {Gmel.). Purple Finch. 

Like C. p. californicus^ but wing longer, tail shorter ; adult male lighter, 
rump paler, upper parts less uniform ; adult female lighter, less uniform, 
and less greenish. 

Distribution. — Eastern North Anaerica, breeding from Hudson Bay to 
Pennsylvania ; in vpinter south to Gulf coast ; accidental in Colorado. 

Mr. Anthony shot a female purple finch at Denver, Nov. 15, 1885. 

517a. Carpodacus purpureus calif ornicus JSatVf/. Califor- 
nia Purple Finch. 
Adult male. — Upper parts dark dull madder pink, wine purple on head 
and paler, more pinkish on rump ; back streaked ; under parts 
lighter rose pink and fading to unstreaked white on middle of 
belly and under tail coverts ; sides and flanks usually strongly 
i^^^"^^^^ washed with brownish and broadly streaked with darker ; tail 
Fie 395 Diuch shorter than wing, deeply emarginate. Adult female: 
upper parts olivaceous, heavily streaked with brown ; under 
parts whitish, narrowly streaked ; side of head with white stripe crossing 
brown of ear coverts and side of throat. Young : similar to female, but 
colors duller and markings less distinct, edgings of wing feathers more 
buffy or tawny. Male : length (skins), 5.20~6.l0, wing 3.03-3.20, tail 2.28- 
2.43, bill .42-49. Female: length (skins) 5.09-5.84, wing 2.95-3.10, tail 
2.10-2.33, bill .41-.49. 

Remarks. — The male California finch may be distinguished from the 
house finch by its under parts, which are streaked only on the sides. It 
differs from the Cassin finch in having crown and rump about the same 
color, and the back not strikingly streaked. The female California differs 
from the female house finch in being strongly olivaceous above, and having 
a white stripe on the side of the head through the brown area, and its 
tail much shorter than wing, and deeply emarginate. The female Cassin 
is more sharply streaked on the back with darker brown streaks. 

Distribution. — Breeds in mountains in Transition and Upper Sonoran 
zones of the Pacific coast region, from British Columbia south ; migrates 
to southern California and Arizona. 

Nest. — A rather thin, flat structure, composed largely of fine rootlets and 
grasses, placed on horizontal branches of trees. Fggs : 2 to 4, greenish blue, 
or bluish green, finely speckled on larger end with black and dark brown. 

The California purple finch is a bird of higher breeding range and 
less domestic nature than its relative the house finch. In central 
California, Mr. Belding says, it is common from 3000 to 5000 feet in 
summer, though of course it comes lower in winter. In Los Angeles 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



311 




Fig. 396. Purple Finch. 

County Mr. Grinnell finds it a common winter visitant of the mesas and 
lowlands, haunting thickets and brushy places in small companies. 

518. Carpodacus cassini Baird. Cassin Pukple Finch. 

Adult male. — Top of head with squarish patch of bright crimson ; rump 
dull rose pink ; back and scapulars dull pinkish brown, sharply streaked 
with dark brown ; under parts pale pink fading to unstreaked white on 
belly; lower tail coverts usually conspicuously streaked with dusky; wing- 
feathers edged with reddish ; tail much shorter than wing, deeply emar- 
ginate. Adult female : whole body sharply streaked with dusky ; ground 
color of upper parts olive gray ; of under parts white. Young : similar to 
female, but streaks of lower parts narrower and wing edgings more ochra- 
ceous. Male: length (skins) 5.39-6.29, wing 3.52-3.80, tail 2.34-2.71, bill 
.47-.51. Female : length (skins) 5.55-6.05, wing 3.42-3.60, biU .49-.50. 




312 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

Remarls. — Tho male Cassin finch may be disting-uished by its large size, 
brig'ht squarish crown patch, dull rump, 
unstreaked under parts, and distinct 
streaks on under tail coverts. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian 
zone from British Columbia to Mexico ; 
from tlie eastern slope of the Rocky 
Mountains to the Pacific : and migrates 
through Mexico to Mt. Orizaba. 

Nest. — Near tops of young firs and 
pines on a horizontal branch ; rather thin 
and flat, composed largely of rootlets 
and grasses. JhJggs : 2 to 4, finely spec- 
kled, chiefiy around the larger end, with 
Vig. 307. Cassia Purple Fiucli. black and dark brown. 

The Cassin tincli is tlie purple finch of the mountains, breeding 
from the lower edge of the firs to timberline. Its square crimson 
crown patch is a striking sign mark in the shade of the woods, and 
its sweet song gains richness from its forest setting. Even in winter 
the birds stay as high as the}-- can. In southern California, Mr. 
Grinnell says they rarely come as low as the foothills, but go about 
in small fiocks. feeding in the brush as long as it is not entirely 
covered with snow. 

Subgenus Burrica, 
519. Carpodacus niexicanus frontalis (-Sa//). House Finch. 

Adult, male. — Forehead, superciliary, and rump rose pink, orange red, 
or scarlet ; rest of upper parts brownish gray, 
sometimes washed with reddish ; back not dis- 

line/ If/ streaked ; throat and breast reddish ; belly 

jPj oqo jyj , whitish, sha7-pli/ and closeli/ streaked with brown ; 

tail not decidedly shorter tban wing, nearly even ; 
wing feathers edged with pale grayish instead of reddish. Adult female : 
u])j)er parts grayish brown, indistinctly streaked ; 
under parts white, broadly streaked. Y^oung : 
f2S" similar to female, but back more distinctly 
Fi^^"°*wr^ Foiu'ile streaked, under parts nuire narrowly and less 

* "^ ' ■ distinctly streaked; wing coverts tipped with 

huffy. Male : length (skins) 4.80-0.10, wing 2.99-8.:^8, tail 2.14-2.(50, bill 
.a8-.50, Female : lenoth (skins) n.OO-S.C^, wing- 2.77-;}.Or), tail 2.00-2.40, 
bill .39-.48. 

Remarks. — The sharj) uniform streaking- of under parts distinguish the 
house finch from the California and Cassin. Individuals suggest dichro- 
matism in varying- amount of yellow in plumage. (See Condor, Jan. 1901, 
18.) 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and I^ower Sonoran zones from western 
parts of Kansas and Texas to the Pacific, and from Oregon to northern 
Lower California and northern Mexico. 

Nest. — Compactly woven, largely of dried grass stems and plant fibers, 
placed in trees, cactus, or sagebrush, but preferably about houses. Eygs : 
8 to G, bluish white or pale greenish blue sparsely speckled, chiefly around 
larger end, with black. 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 313 

The house (hieh in the west is even more ruiuiliar than the robin 
in th(!eust, ncsthiii,' preferably in vines and odd nooks about houses, 
thou,i;h it a(U)i)ls any site that olb^rs, from ast(!W-pan liung on a nail 
to u cactus. Its one requirement is water, and this is so absokite 
that in tlie arid country tlie sigiit of one of tliese birds encourages 
the exph)rer to go on looking, for there is surely one water hole Ihat 
has not dried up, be it ever so small, and he has only to follow the 
birds to (ind it. 

Th(^ pretty linch is a charming, companionable little fellow, sing- 
ing cheerily from morning till night a happy, bright song that goes 
well with the warmth and sunshine of the low country it lives in. 
'I'he flight song of the male is quite characteristic, for he is so full of 
nuisic that he never (;an contain himself, on the wing or off. He 
fairly bubbles over with it when he goes a-courting and dances be- 
fore his denuire littU; brown lady-love. 

The only obje(;tion to the familiarity of these pretty finches is 
their unfortunate though Mattering appreciation of western fruit, 
but happily this is of small moment in many of the cities within 
their range. In El l*aso, Texas, the sweet song of the tinch comes 
in tiu'ough the open windows with most grateful cheer, suggesting 
forcibly the relief it would be if the English sparrow witli his uu- 
nnisical jabbering could be exchanged for our lovely native song- 
ster. In some of the country districts the fact that it has been seen 
eating Russian thistle seeds should weigh in its favor. 

519c. C. ni. clenientis {Mcams). Island House Finch. 

Like C. III. froutdlis, but with shortor wing.s, larger legs and feet, larger, 
more oonvtix bill, heavier coloration, and broader striping on iinder parts. 
Male: length (skins) r).2()-5.8;5, wing 2.U2-;J.17, tail 2.1 1-2.42, bill :,i9-S)0. 
Feiiude : length (skins) ').\\'l-:^AVl, wing 2.*»2-:{.(M), tail 2.10-2.;W, bill ,41-.4t). 

Distrihiition. — Santa Barbara Islands, California; and Todos Santos 
Island, Lower (California. 

GENUS LOXIA. 

General Charavters. — Tips of bill crossed in adults, nasal plumules con- 
spicuous, concealing nostrils ; wing more than live tbnes as long as tarsus; 
tail short, deeply emarginate ; t<irsus short. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 




Fig. 400. 

1. Wing with two white bands leucoptera, p. 315. 

r. Wing without white bands. 

2. Hill heavier, wing nearly 4 Strickland!, p. 314. 

2'. Bill lighter, wing about 3.40 minor, p. 314. 



314 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). Crossbill.i 

Adult Jiiale. — Dull red, generally brighter on rump ; gray showing 
through on under parts ; feathers of back indistinctly streaked ; wings 
and tail plain dusky. Adult females : olivaceous, often shading to bright 
yellow. Young : streaked, on olive gray ground. Young male : mixed with 
yellow and red before reaching adult stage. Male : length (skins) 5.04- 
6.64, wing 3.18-3.66, tail 1.72-2.16, bill .57-.73. Female: length (skins) 
4.92-6.06, wing 3.10-3.57, tail 1.50-2.12, bill .54-.70. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, but chiefly northward and east 
of the Plains ; irregularly abundant in winter. 

Nest. — In coniferous trees, rather flat, composed externally of spruce 
twigs and shreds of soft bark, lined with horsehair and fine rootlets. 
Eggs : usually 4, pale greenish, spotted with various shades of brown 
mixed with purplish gray. 

Food. — Chiefly seeds of conifers. 

Crossbills, like other little pensioners of the trees, go and come 
whenever the branches spread hospitable feasts. If the trees yield 
no nuts, do not look for the jays or acorn-eating woodpeckers ; if it 
is not a cone year do not expect the crossbills. But when the time 
is ripe, some red letter day from high up in the treetops you may 
catch the kimp, kimp, Mmp, of a busy flock, and on some still luckier 
day, like a whirl of snowflakes down will come a parti-colored band 
with their queer crossed bills and coats of red or greenish yellow. 
Then, if seeds and cones favor, perchance the flock will take up its 
abode in the neighborhood and act as if it had always been there, till 
suddenly some day it has disappeared and is seen no more. 

At Fort Sherman, Idaho, Dr. Merrill has seen crossbills in every 
month of the year, though their occurrence was irregular. At times 
they were as common and fearless as English sparrows, and on warm 
bright days in February and March he says ' their pleasing song was 
heard in every direction.' 

When Dr. Mearns was in Arizona he chanced on a good year and 
found them among the commonest birds, drinking and bathing at 
the springs and water places at all times of day. 

521a. Loxia curvirostra stricklandi Ridgw. Mexican Cross- 
bill. 

Similar to minor, but larger, colors averaging brighter, and lower mandi- 
ble averaging heavier. Male : length (skins) 5.94-6.34, wing 3.67-4.05, tail 
2.08-2.32, bill .74-. 86. Female : length (skins) 5.71-6.30, wing 3.42-3.88, 
tail 1.88-2.14, bill .70-.81. 

Distribution. — Mountains from Colorado west to the Sierra Nevada, and 
from Wyoming to Guatemala. 

1 Loxia curvirostra bendirei Ridgw. 

Like L. c. minor, but decidedly larger, adult male averaging lighter or brighter in color, 
adult female slightly lighter and grayer. 

Distribution. — More northern and central mountain districts of western United States 
from Colorado to the Cascades and Sierra Nevada ; during migration east to eastern Ne- 
braska and Kansas, west to the coast district of California ; casually to Guadalupe Island, 
Lower California, and south to New Mexico. {N. Am. Fauna, No. 16, 123.) 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 315 

522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. White-winged Crossbill. 

Adult male. — Dull rose red, occasionally ting-ed with yellow or orang-e ; 
dark bases of feathers showing throug-h and back clouded with black ; 
wings and tail black, wings with two white 
hands, confluent at upper portion. Adult fe- 
male : olive green or gray above, indistinctly ^ 

streaked with dusky ; rump yellowish ; wings ""' f" 401 

as in male, but not so black ; under parts 

lighter, more tinged with yellowish. Young : similar to female, but colors 

duller and streaking pronounced. Male : length (skins) 5.39-6.5-i, wing 

3.33-3.60, tail 2.00-2.34, bill .62-.69. Female: length (skins) 5.20-6.22, 

wing 3.26-3.55, tail 1.92-2.32, bill .59-.66. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone forests of northern North America ; 
winters in the United States to about 39°. 

Nest. — As described by Adams, deeply saucer-shaped, made of spruce 
twigs and lichens, lined with hairs and inner bark. Eggs : pale blue, 
spotted around larger end with black and lilac. 

Food. — Spruce seeds, buds, and berries. 

In general habits the white-winged closely resembles the other 
species of Loxia. 

GENUS LETJCOSTICTE. 

General Characters. — Bill much shorter than head, short-conical ; nasal 
plumules covering nostrils ; wing long, pointed ; tail about two thirds as 
long as wing, emarginate ; tarsus short ; hind claw equal to or longer than 
its toe, strongly curved. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Body black atrata, p. 317. 

1'. Body brown. 

2. Body light brown australis, p. 317. 

2'. Body dark brown. 

3. Gray of crown spreading down over sides of head. 

littoralis, p. 316. 
3'. Gray of crown not spreading down over sides of head. 

tephrocotis, p. 315. 

524. Leucosticte tephrocotis Swains. Gray-crowned Leu- 

COSTICTE. 

Adult male in summer. — Bill black ; crown black, bordered behind and 
on sides with gray, the gray not spreading 
down over sides of head ; general body color 
deep chestnut brown, lighter, and with black- 
ish mesial streaks on back ; belly, rump, 
upper tail coverts, wings, and tail more or 
less tinged with pink. Adult male in win- 
ter : bill yellow, tipped with blackish ; brown 
feathers edged with whitish ; black of crown 
restricted. Adult female : like male, with 
the same seasonal changes, but averaging 
paler and duller. Young: plain brownish, 
without black or gray on head, or rosy tail 
coverts. Male : length (skins) 5.70-6.81, 
wing 4.00-4.40, tail 2.42-2.80, bill .42-. 48. >ig. 402. 




316 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC„ 

Female: length (skins) 5.60-6.50, wing 3.80-4.19, tail 2.39-2.78, bill .48- 
.56. 

Distribution. — Interior of British America ; wintering- in the Rocky 
Mountain region of the United States, most abundantly on the eastern 
slope, and extending to western Nebraska. Recorded as breeding in the 
Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains in California, 

Food. — Ants, small beetles, and other insects, pine seeds and plant 
seeds. 

The leucostictes are birds of the mountain snow-banks and glaciers. 
They feed on seeds and insects blown to the heights and left to be 
picked lip about the border of the melting snow. They are often 
found at an altitude of from 11,000 to 12,000 feet, and under the 
crest of Mt. Whitney, at about 15,000 feet, Mr. Frank Daggett 
found a pair picking up insects from a snow-drift. When a hail- 
storm passed over the peak the birds took refuge under granite 
slabs, but as soon as it was over they were back on the snow. 

At Fort Keough, Montana, Capt. Thorne reports that the leuco 
stictes come in November and stay in varying numbers till the last 
of March, picking up grain in the corrals and often taking shelter in 
old cliff swallow nests. When it is cold and stormy, he says, they 
gather in the post by thousands, but when a warm day comes they 
scatter out again. 

Along the crests of the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains and 
the higher peaks of the Cascade range, the first September snow- 
storms bring flocks of the rosy tinches, scurrying with the driving 
snow, or, on clear days, basking in the sunshine about the old snow- 
banks and ice-fields. 

While I was running a line of traps along the slope above Mono 
Pass in the Sierra Nevada one morning early in September, with my 
eyes half shut to keep out a fine driving snow, a little flock of nine 
rosy finches dropped down near me and began getting their breakfast 
from a last year's snow-bank, hopping about and picking rapidly 
here and there over the rough surface, fluffing their feathers and 
facing the cutting wind to keep from being blown away, all the 
time talking in cheery little notes among themselves. Now and 
then one would snuggle up in the lee of a chunk of ice or a stone, 
fluff his feathers, and hold up his feet to warm his toes just as the 
snowbirds do in winter, then hop out again and pick up more chilled 
bugs from the surface of the snow, looking up at me with a frank 
trustfulness that had surely never been betrayed. 

Vernon Bailey. 

524a. L. t. littoralis (Baird). Hepburn Leucosticte. 

Similar to the gray-crowned, but gray of crown spreading down over 
sides of head, sometimes covering all but black frontal patch, Male : length 
(skins) 6.04-6.80, wing 4.00-4.32, tail 2.36-2.75, bill .43-.49, Female: 
length (skins) 6.08-6.47, wing 3.94-4.10, bill .45-.49. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 317 

DistribHtion, — In summer, mountains of southeastern Alaska and prob- 
ably the interior mountain regions of British Columbia, south at least to 
snow-capped mountains of Washing-ton ; in winter, northwest coast from 
Kadiak southward ; extending- east to the eastern base of the Rocky 
Mountains. 

" A pair of this rare species was found feediug full grown young 
on the moraines just below the glacier of Wright's Peak (Okanogan 
County, Washington), at an altitude of 8000 feet. North and west 
of this station there is an immense area of glacier-flanked peaks, 
where the birds are sure to find a congenial summer home." (Daw- 
son.) 

In Paradise Park, on Mt. Rainier, Dr. Fisher found the Hepburn 
leucosticte common in the moraines and along the edges of bare 
ground, feeding on grasshoppers and other insects benumbed by the 
snow. 

525. Leucosticte atrata Bidgw. Black Leucosticte. 

Adult male in summer. — Crown black, set in gray, which does not ex- 
tend over sides of head ; body blackish or deep clove brown ; feathers of 
belly and sides tipped with peach-blossom pink ; feathers of hind neck, 
back, and scapulars with more or less distinct brownish or buffy edgings ; 
rump and patch on wings peach-blossom pink. Adult male in winter : 
similar, but bill yellowish, tipped with dusky, the brownish edgings to 
scapulars and interscapulars broader, feathers of under pai'ts more or 
less edged with grayish, and pink markings of a softer, more rosy hue. 
ImmaUire male : like adult male, but pink markings paler, mainly re- 
placed on wings by buffy white. Adult female : much duller than the 
male, under parts grayish brown, upper parts brownish, and pink paler 
and restricted or replaced by whitish. Immature female : like adult fe- 
male, but duller and browner, feathers conspicuously edged with brownish 
and buffy. Male : length (skins) 5.90-0.26, wing 4.21-4.27, tail 2.62-2.7;*), 
bill .41-.48. Female : length (skins) 5.60-6.18, wing 3.89-4.19, tail 2.38- 
2.58, bill .45-.47. 

Bemarks. — The head has the same color pattern as in tephrocotis, but 
the body is blackish or very dark brown. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the Salmon River Mountains, Idaho, and 
probably northern ranges ; winters in mountains of Colorado and Utah. 

526. Leucosticte australis Bidgw. Brown-capped Leuco- 

sticte. 
Adult male in suynmer. — Bill black, crown blackish anteriorly, shading 
toward brown of back ; bodi/ light brown, becoming pink on belly, rump, 
and wing coverts, and sometimes tinged with red on throat and breast. 
Adult male in winter : similar, but bill yellowish, tipped with dusky ; crown 
brownish gray on back and sides, and feathers with grayish edgings that 
give scaled effect to head. Immature male: similar to adult, but greater 
wing coverts with buffy edgings in winter, dull whitish in summer- 
Adult female : similar to male, with same seasonal changes, but much 
duller, and pink markings indistinct. Young : grayish buffy brown, paler 
on posterior under parts ; patches on wings and tail coverts buffv. Male : 
length (skins) 5.71-6.48, wing 3.99-4.40, tail 2.39-2.86, bill .40^.50. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 5.63-6. lo, wing 3.00-4.25, tail 2.40-2.70, bill .45-47. 



318 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC, 

Distribution. — Breeds in Alpine zone on the mountains of Colorado, 
descending into the lower zones of the valleys, and south to New Mexico 
in winter. 

In his Birds of Colorado Mr. Cooke says that the brown-capped 
leiicosticte is never seen below timberline in summer, and nests from 
12,000 feet to the tops of the highest peaks. In August, he says, 
"old and young swarm over the summits of the peaks, picking in- 
sects off the snow. By the last of October or early in November 
they descend to timberline and remain there through the winter, 
except as they are driven a little lower by the severest storms. 
At the same time a few come into the lower valleys almost to the 
base of the foothills." 

They have been reported from Silverton, where they came in 
large flocks and were killed for food. 

GENUS ACANTHIS. 

General Characters. — Bill conical, strongly compressed toward end, 
and usually acute at tip ; nasal plumules nearly covering basal half of 
bill except in summer plumage ; wing long, pointed ; tail long, deeply 
forked ; tarsus very short, side toes much shorter than the middle. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Upper parts brownish, rump streaked linaria, p. 319, 

1. Upper parts whitish, rump not streaked .... exilipes, p. 318o 

527a. Acanthis hornemannii exilipes (Coues). Hoary Red- 
poll. 
Adult male in spring. — Bill dusky ; patch on top of head crimson ; chin 
black ; under parts almost pure white, except for 
pinkish chest and fine streaking on sides ; upper 
parts grayish white streaked with dusky ; rump 
. . white, tinged with pink. Adult male in winter : 

similar, but bill yellowish, with dusky tip ; upper 
parts tinged with huffy, dusky streaks narrower. Adult female in spring : 
like male in spring but without pink on rump or chest. Adult female in 
winter : similar, but upper parts more strongly tinged with bu£P, dusky 
streaks narrower, and bill yellowish, with dusky tip. Male : length (skins) 
4.60-5.40, wing 2.85-3.07, tail 2.13-2.50, bill .27-.34. Female: length 
(skins) 4.59-5.16, wing 2.74-2.94, tail 2.10-2.29, bill .27-.34. 

Distribution. — Breeds in northeastern Asia and arctic America ; south 
in winter, regularly to the northern United States. Recorded from Massa- 
chusetts, Illinois, Maine, and Michigan. 

Nest. — A rather bulky structure, composed largely of small twigs and 
straws mixed with feathers and lined with feathers ; placed in bushes or 
small trees. Eggs : 2 to 5, pale bluish green, speckled, chiefly around 
larger end with reddish brown, sometimes mixed with a few black specks 
or lines. 

The hoary redpoll, Mr. Nelson says, is the most abundant of the 
redpolls in northern Alaska, where it occurs in great numbers. Its 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 319 

habits are identical with those of the common redpoll. Both forms 
are resident, making only a partial migration into the interior in the 
severest weather. 

528. Acanthis linaria {Linn.). Redpoll. 

Adult male in breeding plumage. — Chin patch and feathers around bill 
blackish ; crown crimson ; throat, sides, and rump more or less 
washed with pink or crimson ; rest of under parts white, sides 
streaked with dusky ; upper parts streaked, dark brown and 
buffy, lig-hter but streaked on rump, rump washed with pink ; 
bill horn color, dusky at tip. Adult male in winter plumage : ^'2.^^ 
much lighter, wing bands more or less buffy, pink paler ; bill 
light yellow, black at tip. Adult female : similar to the male, but pink of 
under parts replaced by buffy or whitish ; seasonal difference same as in 
male. Young : like adults, but without pink or red, crown streaked and 
sides and wing bands more or less buffy. Male : length (skins) 4.31-5.32, 
wing 2.78-3.01, tail 1.91-2.29, bill .31-.38. Female : length (skins) 4.29- 
5.43, wing 2.76-3.00, tall 1.99-2.30, bill .30-.39. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere ; 
south irregularly in winter, in North America as far as California, Mis- 
souri, and Alabama. 

Nest. — In bushes or small trees, bulky, made of twigs, straws, and 
feathers. Eggs : 2 to 5, pale bluish green, speckled, chiefly around larger 
end, with reddish brown, sometimes mixed with a few black specks or 
lines. 

Food. — Buds and weed seed. 



The redpolls are common in Colorado, from November to March, 
from the plains to 10,000 feet. Prof. Cooke says they remain high in 
the mountains, even when the temperature is thirty degrees below 
zero, which does not seem strange, as most of them winter in Alaska. 
In spring, Mr. Nelson tells us, "they are beautiful objects, with 
their bright rosy hues and fluffy plumage. On warm sunshiny days 
during April they come familiarly up to the very windows and 
doors, and peer about with an odd mixture of confidence and curios- 
ity, examining everything and scarcely deigning to move aside as 
the people pass back and forth." After the nesting season, he says, 
"they come trooping about, young and old, in large parties, with 
great confidence and a peculiar pertness, taking possession of the 
premises and using the roofs and fences for convenient perches, 
making excursions thence to whatever point appears likely to yield 
food, or chasing each other playfully about." Through July and 
August they are extremely abundant in Alaska, but by the end of 
September the majority have left the coast, most of them going into 
the interior, where they brave the severest weather. 

GENUS ASTRAGAIilNXrS. 

General Characters. — Bill conical, acute ; wing long and pointed ; tail 
emarginate ; tarsus as short or shorter than middle toe with claw. 



320 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Throat with black patch lawrencei, p. 323. 

1'. Throat without black patch. 
2. Back yellow. 

3. Body pale yellow. Rocky Mountain plateau . pallidus, p. 321. 
3'. Body bright yellow. 

4. In winter, browner, with broader wing markings. Pacific coast. 

salicamans, p. 321. 
4'. In winter less brown, with narrower wing markings. East of 
Rocky Mountains to Atlantic coast .... tristis, p. 320. 
2'. Back olive green or black. 

3. Back without black. Rocky Mountains to California. 

psaltria, p. 322. 
3'. Back wholly or partly black. 

4. Back and ear coverts solid black. Mexico and Central Texas. 

mexicanus, p. 322. 

4'. Back or ear coverts mixed with olive green. Colorado and New 

Mexico to Pacific arizonae, p. 322. 

629. Astragalinus tristis (Linn.). Goldfinch. 

Adult male in summer. — Whole body canary yellow, in sharp contrast to 
black crown, wings, and tail ; wings with white bars and tail feathers with 
white patches. Adult female in summer: upper parts olive brown, some- 
times tinged with green or gray ; wings and tail dull blackish brown ; 
white markings duller ; under parts grayish white, more or less tinged 
with yellow. Adult male in winter : similar to female in summer, but 
wings ^nd tail deep black, broadly and clearly marked with white. Adult 
female in winter: similar to summer plumage, but more tinged with 
brownish, white markings broader and more tinged with buff y. Young : 
similar to winter adults, but browner, wing markings and general suffusion 
cinnamon ; shoulder patch mixed with black instead of unieolored as in the 
male. Male : length (skins) 4.26-4.79, wing 2.78-2.96, tail 1.71-2.02, bill 
.38-.41. Female: length (skins) 4.27-4.76, wing 2.59-2.79, tail 1.56-1.84, 
bill .37-.41. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from the 
southern British Provinces south to Kentucky and Kansas, east of the 
Rocky Mountains ; winters south to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Nest. — A neat cup-shaped structure of compactly woven plant fibers, 
lined with down and other soft materials ; placed in tall bushes or low 
trees. Eggs : 3 to 5, plain pale bluish or bluish white. 

Food. — Largely weed seed. 

The goldfinches, or wild canaries, as they are popularly called in 
their many forms, if not as cultivated songsters as their caged rela- 
tives, have much sweeter call-notes and a happy round of their own. 
Their indolent lisping notes have a tinge of sadness, but as they 
raise their heads from a thistle or sunflower to give them, and then 
flit lightly off and go sauntering in undulating flight through the 
air the gentle-spirited birds seem as light-hearted as butterflies. 

In their home life they are among the most charming of birds, 
being tender, devoted mates and Watchful parents. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



321 




Fig. 405. Goldfinch. 

529a. A. t. pallidus (Meams). Pale Goldfinch. 

Adidt male in summer. — Similar to tristis. but larger and paler, white 
marking's of wing's and tail more extended. Adult male in winter : much 
lighter than tristis, with tints purer and white more extended. Male: 
length (skins) 4.:]()-5.0C). wing 2.81-3.08, tail 1.72-2.05, hill .88-.43. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 4.42-.5.00. wing 2.71-2.92, tail 1.70-2.03, hill .39-.44. 

Remarks. — The principal difference between pallidus and tristris is in 
winter plumage. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountain plateau district from British Columbia 
and Manitoba south to northern and eastern Mexico. 



529b. A. t. salicamans (Grinn.). Willow Goldfinch. 

Adult male in summer. — Except for shorter wings and tail scarcely 
distinguishable from tristis ; black cap, if anything, not so extended and 




322 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

yellow not so intense ; the white edgings on wings worn off so there is 
scarcely a trace of white left. Adult female in summer : much darker than 
female of tristis, dull greenish yellow on throat instead of bright yellowish 
green. Young: dark colored. Adult male in winter: similar to tristis, 
but browner and with much broader wing markings; back dark olive 
brown ; sides and flanks shaded with brown ; throat bright yellow, shad- 
ing to dull green on breast and to pure white on belly. Adult female in 
winter : similar to male, but wings, tail, and throat duller ; bill dusky. 
Male: length (skins) 4.08-4.82, wing 2.60-2.89, tail 1.70-1.82, bill .39-.42. 
Female: length (skins) 4.28-4.70, wing 2.63-2.72, tail 1.70-1.79, biU 
.39-.42. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast, from Washington south to Lower Cali- 
fornia. 

530. Astragalinus psaltria (Say), Arkansas Goldfinch. 
Adult male. — Ear coverts, and entire upper parts, including wings and 
tail, black, wings with broad white edgings, 
tail with most of its feathers extensively 
white basally ; under parts canary yellow. 
Adult female : upper parts plain dull olive 
Fig. 406. Adult male. green ; under parts light greenish yellow ; 

head without black ; wings and tail as in male, but black duller, and 
white more restricted, sometimes obsolete on tail. Young : similar to fe- 
male, but tinged with buffy, and wing coverts 
tipped with buff. Immature: crown black, 
rest of upper parts grading frorri olive green 
to solid black on ear coverts and back ; under 
Fig. 407. Immature male. parts yellow. 

Distribution. — Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico, except north- 
western and extreme southern portions. 
Nest and eggs like those of tristis. 
Food. — Largely weed seed. 

The fact that psaltria is a long time in acquiring the black dress 
of the adult male, breeding first in the green-backed immature plu- 
mage has led to much confusion. The thrj3e stages of its develop- 
ment (1) that in which the ear coverts and back are plain olive, (2) 
that in which they are olive mixed with black, and (3) that in which 
they are solid black, were each dignified by a name until enough 
specimens were collected to demonstrate that the differences were 
purely those of age.i 

Another source of confusion regarding psaltria is in its common 
name, Arkansas Goldfinch, which suggests that it is an eastern 
bird. The fact is, however, that it was named from its first discov- 
ery on the Arkansas River in Colorado ! 

In Colorado, Professor Cooke states, it breeds from the Plains to 
over 9000 feet. It is a late migrant there, scarcely reaching northern 
Colorado before the middle of June, being a late breeder like the 
other goldfinches. 

1 See " North American forms of Astragalinus psaltria (Say)." By H. C. Oberholser. 
Proc. Biol. Soc, Washington, xvi. 113-116, September 30, 1903. 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 323 

530a. A. p. hesperophilus Oherh. Green-backed Goldfinch. 

Similar to psaltria, but ear coverts, sides of neck, back, nape, and rump, 
in fully adult plumage, olive green instead of black. Wing- 2.46, tail 1.70, 
bill .85. 

Distribution. — Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, 
from California and Lower California to Utah, Arizona, and extreme 
southwestern New Mexico. 

In southern California, as Mr. Grinnell says, the green-backed 
goldfinch is not only abundant about gardens and orchards, but goes 
up to 6000 feet in the mountains. 

531. Astragalinus lawrencei (Cass.). Lawrence Goldfinch. 

Adult male. — Face and throat as well as crown black ; median under 
parts yellow, surrounded by gray ; rump and 
wings washed with greenish yellow. Adidt 
female: similar to male, but without black on 
head or throat, and colors duller. In winter : jii„ 4Qg^ 

both sexes colored as in summer, but colors 
more subdued. Young : similar to adult female, but duller, and lower 
parts indistinctly streaked. Male : length (skins) 3.92-4.66, wing 2.61- 
2.76, tail 1.81-2.00, bill .31-.33. Female : length (skins) 4.04-4.50, wing 
2.48-2.64, tail 1.66-1.87, bill .31-.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from about 
latitude 40° in California, west of the Sierra Nevada, south to Lower Cali- 
fornia ; occurs during winter in southern Arizona and New Mexico. 

Fggs. — Pure white. 

Food. — Largely weed seed, including that of the Russian thistle. 

In Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Grinnell says laiorencei is 
found mainly on the mesa, in the mountain canyons, and pine for- 
ests below 6000 feet. From December until the last of March small 
flocks feed in weed patches along the banks of the arroyos. 

GENUS SPINTJS. 
533. Spinus pinus {Wils.). Pine Siskin: Pine Finch. 

Similar to Astragalinus, but plumage streaked gray and brown, without 
yellow or black except for yellow patches on wings and tail. Adtdts : 
whole body finely streaked with brown, on brownish 
ground above, on whitish below ; basal portions of seconda- 
ries and tail feathers sulphur yellow. Young : upper parts 
mustard yelloAv, tinged with brownish olive, feathers 
streaked, except on belly ; wing bands and patches brown. 
Male : length (skins) 4.20-4.85, wing 2.72-3.00, tail 1.57- _,. ..„ 
1.83, bill ..38-.44. Female: length (skins) 4.23-5.14, wing *'^- *"^- 
2.63-2.97, tail 1.60-1.81, bill .39-.47. 

Remarks. — The siskin is easily recognized in the field, as the yellow 
wing and tail patches show in flight. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Hudsonian zone forests in the 
mountains of western North America, also in the northeastern United States ; 
may occur in winter in almost any part of the United States and Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually in coniferous trees, flattish, made of fine twigs, rootlets, 
and plant fibers, lined with fine rootlets and hair. Fggs : usually 3 or 4, 
pale greenish blue, speckled, chiefly around the larger end, with reddish 
brown, usually with a few small black markings. 




324 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

The pine finch resembles the goldfinch in general, but its home is 
in the evergreen mountain forests, and after the nesting season it 
wanders erratically over the country in high-flying flocks, giving its 
plaintive clia, dm, as it goes, and coming to earth when a weed 
patch or the cones of an evergreen offer it a meal. It might easily 
be mistaken for a striped sparrow, but as it spreads its wings and 
tail to get its balance in feeding, the yellow patches identify it at a 
glance. When disturbed at a meal the flocks often make short 
circling flights, loath to give up their harvest. 

In Colorado, Prof. Cooke says it is a common resident, abundant 
along the foothills during migrations, and from 7000 feet to timber- 
line in summer. Some stay near timberline through the winter, 
but the bulk scatter over the lower valleys and plains. In southern 
California Mr. Grinnell finds it irregularly in the willow regions 
and lowlands in winter. 

GENUS PASSER. 

Passer doraesticus {Linn.). English Sparrow. 

Form stout and stocky ; bill very stout, curved, side outlines bulging' to 
near the end ; wing pointed ; tail shorter than 
wings, nearly even ; feet small. Adult male : lores, 

throat, and chest patch black ; rest of under parts 

Fig. 410. Male. grayish ; top of head and ear coverts grayish, vrith 

bright chestnut patches between eye and nape ; wing 
with chestnut patch and two white bands ; rest of upper parts brown, back 
streaked with black ; upper parts dull brown ; 
under parts dull gray. Adult female : crown and 
hind neck grayish brown or olive ; entire under 
Fig. in. Female. parts brownish white or gray ; back browner, less 

refuscent than in male. Length : 5.50-6.25, wing 
about 2.85-3.00, tail 2.35-2.50. 

Distribution. — Europe in general, except Italy ; introduced and natural- 
ized in Canada and the United States, from the Atlantic west to Utah and 
New Mexico, with colonies in central California, Portland, Oregon, and 
Seattle, Washington; also Bahamas, Cuba, Bermudas, Nova Scotia, and 
southern Greenland. 

Nest. — About houses or in trees, bulky, made largely of dried grasses. 
Eggs : 4 to 7, thickly spotted with dark brown and purplish. 

"The introduction of the English sparrow is one of the most 
familiar examples of acclimatization. Brought over to the United 
States in 1850, the bird developed such a marvelous ability to 
adapt itself to new surroundings and increased so rapidly that by 
1870 it had gained a foothold in twenty states and the District of 
Columbia, as well as in two provinces of Canada. At the present 
time [1899] it is found in every state and territory except x^laska, 
Arizona, Montana, and Nevada." (Palmer.) 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 325 

GENUS PASSEKINA. 

534. Passerina nivalis (Linn.). Snowflake. 

Under mandible thicker than upper, gonys very short, nostrils concealed 
by plumules ; wing nearly five times as long as tarsus ; tail eraarginate, 
about two thirds hidden by coverts ; hind claw about as long as its toe, 
curved. Adult male in summer : white, with black on bill, middle of back, 
scapulars, greater part of primaries, 
and four to six middle tail feathers. 
Adult male in winter : washed with rusty 
on upper parts, sides of head, and chest ; 
bill yellow, with dusky tip. Adult fe- Fig. 412. 

tnale in summer : upper parts broadly 

streaked with black ; wing and tail with black of male replaced by black- 
ish brown ; wing with much less white. Adult female in winter : like sum- 
mer female, but upper parts more or less stained with rusty brown and 
feathers of back more edged with buffy. Young : under parts dull whit- 
ish ; upper parts gray ; wings and tail mainly dusky and brown ; white of 
wing much restricted. Male: length (skins) 5.85-7.21, wing 4.19-4.58, 
tail 2.40-2.91, bill .88-.45. Female : length (skins) 5.95-6.62, wing 3.90- 
4.10, tail 2.39-2.62, bill .38-.43. 

Remarks. — The September -birds maybe distinguished by feathers of 
head, nape, and rump, which are basally white in the male, basally black 
in the female. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the arctic regions of the northern hemisphere ; 
in North America south in winter to the northern United States, irregu- 
larly to Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon. 

Nest. — On ground, composed of dried grasses, lined with finer grasses 
and feathers. Eggs : usually 5, whitish, varying from dull purplish to 
greenish, speckled chiefly on larger end with shades of brown, usually 
with a few small black markings. 

Food. — Largely weed seed, grass seed, and refuse grain in winter, and 
small crustaceans, moUusks, insects, and seeds in summer. 

" The snowflake is a well known summer bird in all the circum- 
polar regions, and none of the various arctic expeditions have ex- 
tended their explorations beyond the points where this handsome 
species is found. It chooses indifferently the bleak shores of the 
arctic islands encircled by an icy sea, or the warmer shores to the 
south as far as the Aleutian Islands, and nearly as far on the 
opposite Siberian shore of Bering Sea. Although it rears its young 
far from the usual haunts of man, it passes to the south and is one 
of the most familiar and well-known birds through the northern 
states." (Nelson.) 

GENUS CALCARIUS. 

General Characters. — Bill small, acutely conical, deeper than broad at 
base ; nostrils exposed ; wing long, pointed ; tail more than half hidden 
by pointed upper coverts ; hind claw about length of its toe, slender, and 
nearly straight. 




326 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

KEY TO SPECIES OF CALCARIUS. 

1. Tail feathers chiefly white at base ornatus, p. 328. 

1'. Tail feathers chiefly dusky at base. 

2. Inner v/eb of outer tail feather chiefly white . . . pictus, p. 327. 
2'. Inner web of outer tail feather chiefly dusky. 

3. Darker . lapponicus, p. 326. 

3'. Paler . alascensis, p. 327. 

536. Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.). Lapland Longspur. 

Inner web of outer tail feather chiefly dusky. Adult male in summer : 
fore parts black, contrasting strikingly with 
white of belly, and white or buffy line from 
eye to hind neck ; hind neck deep rufous ; back 
streaked black, brown, buffy, and whitish; 
Fig. 413. Summer male. ^i^gs dusky, with brown and whitish edg- 
ings ; tail chiefly blackish brown. Adult male in winter : black area and 
rufous nape patch greatly restricted, and more or less obscured by white 
or brownish tips to feathers ; sides of head 
mainly light brownish. Adult female in sum- 
mer : like winter male but smaller, markings 
sharper, black of chest more restricted, and 
Fig. 414. Wmter male. j^j^^ ^^^^^ streaked with blackish. Adult female 

in winter : similar to summer female, but browner and less sharply streaked 
above ; hind neck often without trace of rufous ; under parts dingy white, 
chest markings only suggested. Young : upper parts tawny buff, broadly 
streaked with black except for wings and tail ; under parts pale buffy, 
throat, chest, and sides broadly streaked with black. Male : length (skins) 
5.68-6.80, wing 3.55-3.96, tail 2.35-2.62, bill .41-.48. Female: length 
(skins) 5.34-6.20, wing 3.45-3.63, tail 2.30-2.55, bill .41-.45. 

Remarks. — The long, nearly straight hind claw distinguishes this genus 
and Rhynchophanes from the other Fringillidce., and the black-tipped tail 
marks off Rhynchophanes. In Calcarius the white breast and belly distin- 
guish the Lapland from the buff -breasted Smith longspur. 

Distribution. — Breeds far north in the northern hemisphere ; migrates 
in North America south to Texas, but most abundantly to Kansas and 
Colorado. 

Nest. — On ground, composed mainly of dried grasses, lined largely with 
feathers. Eggs: 3 to 6, dull whitish, spotted or speckled with brown. 

Food. — Insects such as weevils, grasshoppers, and beetles ; locust eggs, 
weed seed, and grain. 

The Lapland longspiirs reach Colorado in October, Prof. Cooke 
states, going up into the lower mountain parks at first but descend- 
ing to the plains when severe weather comes. 

Colonel Goss says that they wander over the prairies and treeless 
plains of Kansas in enormous flocks, subsisting on seeds of weeds 
and grasses. In looking for food, he says, "they skim over tlie 
ground in a wavy, zigzag form, and on alighting run swiftly and 
heedlessly about, squatting close to the ground at the near approach 
of an intruder and remaining motionless, hoping to be passed un- 
observed. When started they rise in a quick, uncertain manner," 
which prairie falcons and other enemies often take advantage of. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 327 

"dasMng in and striking down many of the birds before the flock is 
well under headway." 

In their summer home, Mr. Nelson says the longspur is " a widely 
spread circumpolar bird, whose presence is recorded from nearly 
every point visited by explorers along the shores of the arctic coast. 
. . . When they arrive early in May," he adds, " the ground is still 
largely covered with snow with the exception of grassy spots along 
southern exposures and the more favorably situated portions of the 
tundra, and here may be found these birds in all the beauty of their 
elegant summer dress. The males, as if conscious of their handsome 
plumage, choose the tops of the only breaks in the monotonous level, 
which are small rounded knolls and tussocks. Th§ male utters its 
song as it flies upward from one of these knolls, and when it reaches 
the height of ten or fifteen yards it extends the points of its wings 
upwards, forming a large V-shaped figure, and floats gently to the 
ground, uttering, as it slowly sinks, its liquid tones, which fall in 
tinkling succession upon the ear, and are perhaps the sweetest 
notes that one hears during the entire springtime in these regions." 

536a. C. 1. alascensis Ridgw. Alaskan Longspur. 

Similar to the Lapland longspur, but decidedly paler, especially in 
winter ; summer adults with ground color of upper parts light buffy gray- 
ish brown, with little if any rusty tinge, even on wings ; and the black 
streaks relatively narrower. Male: length (skins) 5.75-6.55, wing 3.59- 
3.92, tail 2.30-2.68, bill .41-.49. Female: length (skins) 5.34-6.25, wing 
3.39-3.67, tail 2.19-2.48, bill .40-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Alaska, migrating in the United States to 
Nevada, Colorado, and western Kansas. 

537. Calcarius pictus (Swains.). Smith Longspur. 

Inner web of outer tail feather chiefly white. Adult male in sum.mer : 
top and sides of head black marked with three 
white stripes — behind eye, across ear coverts, , 

and down sides of neck ; hind neck and entire * ^ _^ _ 

under parts brownish 6m^, hind neck streaked Fig. 415? Sivmmer Boale! 
with black ; rest of upper parts streaked buffy 
brown and black. Adult male in winter: black of head replaced by 
streaked brownish, like rest of upper parts ; throat and chest also more or 
less streaked. Adult female in summer : like winter male, but smaller, 
paler, and grayer, and without clear black or white on wing coverts ; entire 
upper parts streaked brown and blackish. In winter, similar, but more 
buffy. Young : similar to winter adults, but markings wanting or obscure, 
entire under parts yellowish brown or bufpy ; throat obscurely streaked ; 
tail white only on two or three outer feathers. Male : length (skins) 5.84- 
6.81, wing 3.40-3.79, tail 2.33-2.71, bill .40-.44. Female : length (skins) 
5.5,3-5.76, wing 3.41-3.54, tail 2.18-2.32, bill .40-.45. 

Distribution. — Interior of North America, breeding north to the arctic 
coast and migrating in the United States to Texas and southern Arizona. 

Fggs. — Like those of the Lapland longspur, but averaging lighter, the 
whitish distinctly spotted style prevailing. 

Food, — In winter largely weed seed. 



328 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. • 

In winter, Colonel Goss says, the Smith longspur is often asso- 
ciated with other species of longspurs and horned larks, "Their 
favorite resorts," he states, "are along old trails and abandoned 
wagon roads upon the prairies, where the grass is short." 

538. Calcarius ornatus {Towns.). Chestnut-collared Long- 

SPUK. 

Tail feathers with bases of all hut middle pair white. Adult male in 
sumiiier : throat and sides of head white or buffy, 
-^- ^ in striking- contrast to black under parts ; black 
"^^ -^'^ sometimes invaded by reddish brown; upper 
parts with black crown, markings on sides of 
F.g. 4U;. Sun.nun- male. j^^^^^ ^^^ shoulder patch; nape bright rufous; 
rest of upper parts streaked ; in full plumage shoulder patch deep black 
tipped with white. Adidt male in ic inter : similar, but black and rufous 
obscured or concealed by brownish or buffy tips 
:' -^ to feathers. Adult female: buffy brownish, 
__J. streaked with blackish on upper parts and some- 
times lightly streaked on breast and belly. 
Fig. 417. Winter male. ^Xxxnmge softer and colors more blended in 
winter. Young : blackish feathers bordered with whitish and brownish ; 
wing- coverts tipped with whitish ; superciliary indistinct ; ear coverts 
streaked ; throat white, flecked with dusky ; rest of under parts dull buff, 
streaked, especially on breast. Male: length (skins) 4.63-5.89, wing 3.20- 
3.55, tail 2.00-2.39, bill .38-.44. Female : length (skins) 4.67-5.64, wing- 
2.97-3.33, tail 1.89-2.25, bill .39-.43. 

Remarks. — The female is an obscure bird, but may be recognized by its 
generic characters and extensively white tail. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones on the 
Plains from Assiniboia to Kansas ; winters from Nebraska south through 
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to Orizaba, Mexico. 

Nest. — On ground, made largely of dried grasses, lined with feathers. 
Eggs : 3 to 6, white, tinged with pink, buff, or green ; distinctly spotted 
with blackish or shades of brown. 
Food. — Largely weed seed.. 

In a list of the birds of Fort Hays, Kansas, Dr. Allen states that 
the chestnut-collared is abundant over the plains, being " one of the 
most interesting and characteristic species." He adds that it has a 
"short, shrill, but very sweet song, which is often uttered on the 
wing." 

Flocks of several hundred have been seen by Mr. Bailey in south- 
ern Arizona in October and November. 

GENUS RHYNCHOPHANES. 

539. Rhynchophanes mccownii {Lawr.). McCown Longspur. 

Bill stout, conical ; nasal plumules nearly concealing- nostrils ; wings 
S=^*^**'*^^MBa.-_-««pir "6^i"ly five times as long as tarsus ; tail more 
J%'^--<,^>^i'S^B^« than half hidden by pointed coverts ; tarsus 
longer than middle toe with claw ; hind claw 
about equal to its toe, nearly straight ; tail 
^ig- 418. feathers, except middle pair, white broadly 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, .ETC. 329 

tipped with black — outer feather almost entirely white. Adult male in 
summer : crown black in sharp contrast to white superciliary ; shoulder patch 
reddish brown ; back brownish gray, streaked with black ; sides of head and 
throat whitish, with black streak from bill alongside of throat ; chest with 
black crescent ic patch ; rest of under parts white, more or less mixed with 
black, especially on sides. Adult male in winter: upi^er parts uniform brown- 
ish buff, streaked with blackish brown ; black of chest largely hidden by 
buffy tips to feathers. Adult female : like winter male, but without black 
chest patch or rufous shoulder patch, brownish above and buffy below ; in 
summer grayer above and whiter below. Young : upper parts dusky, the 
feathers broadly bordered with pale buff ; under parts white, distinctly 
washed with buff across chest, chest sometimes indistinctly streaked. Male : 
length (skins) 5.26-5.71, wing- 3.50-8.69, tail 1.90-2.20, bill .44-.52. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 5.02-5.41, wing 3.1.")-3.42, tail 1.80-1.98, bill .42-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds on the interior plains from the Saskatchewan 
south to eastern Nebraska ; winters south throug^h Texas and Arizona to 
northern Mexico. 

Nest. — On ground in open places, composed largely of dried grasses, 
lined usually with hair and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 6, similar to those of 
the chestnut-collared long-spur, but usually with g-round color more olive. 

Food. — Largely weed seed. 

The habits of Rhynchophanes are very similar to those of the other 
longspurs. When disturbed at a meal they circle in undulating 
flight uttering, Colonel Goss says, ' a chip note at each stroke of the 
wing.' In the breeding season they have a flight song like that of 
the Lapland lougspur, hovering with wings pointed almost straight 
upwards. 

GENUS POCECETES. 

General Characters. — Bill small, conical ; wing* long- and pointed ; tail 
emarginate ; tarsus longer than middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Larg-er, coloration g-rayer above. Plains to Pacific . confinis, p. 329. 
1'. Smaller, coloration browner above. In California and Oregon. 

affinis, p. 330. 

540a. PocBcetes gramineus confinis Baird. Western Ves- 
per Sparrow. 
Upper parts brownish g-ray narrowly streaked with dusky ; bend of wing 
reddish brown ; outer tail feathers partly white ; under parts 
dull white, more or less tinged with pale buffy ; streaked 
along sides of throat and across chest. Male : length 
Fig. 419: " (skins) 5.50-6.25, wing 3.12-3.41, tail 2.49-2.70, bill .43- 
.46. Fe7nal€ : length (skins) 5.21-6.00, wing 3.00-3.30, tail 2.27-2.68, bill 
.41-.49. 

Remarks. — The western vesper sparrow may be distinguished from the 
eastern by its grayer color, narrower streaks, and usually more slender bill 
and longer wing and tail. 

Distribution. — Upper Sonoran and Transition zones from the Plains to 
the Pacific, and from British Columbia, Assiniboia, and Manitoba south to 
Lower California and southern Mexico. Breeds from northern New Mexico 
and Arizona northwai'd. 



330 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

Nest. — On the ground, made of grass. Eggs : 3 to 6, greenish or brown^ 
ish white, spotted, and often blotched, and streaked with reddish brown 
and lavender. 

In the San Francisco Mountain country, Dr. Mearns says the west- 
ern vesper sparrow is a common summer resident in the upper pines, 
and was found breeding in the grassy openings up to 10,000 feet. 
It is also common in tlie sagebrush districts, and in settled parts of 
the west is commonly seen on roadside fences. It may be recognized 
by its white outer tail feathers as it flies, or, as it sits on a post, by 
its dull coloration and pale bay shoulder patches. 

When it flies to the ground it is lost in the dry grass or disappears 
on bare ground, so perfectly do its dull streaks and mottlings blend 
with the earth colors. 

In spring and early summer the vesper sparrow perches on a post 
or tall weed and trolls over his sweet, simple song at regular inter- 
vals for hours at a time. At its best, at sunset, the song has a rich, 
serene melody. 

540b. P. g. afB.nis Miller. Oregon Vesper Sparrow. 

Like conjinis, but smaller, bill more slender, coloration browner ; ground 
color of upper parts buffy brown rather than grayish brown, and all the 
light areas of the plumage, including under side of wings, suffused with 
pinkish buff. Male: length (skins) 5.17-5.55, wing 2.90-3.15, tail 2.08- 
2.38, bill .40-.45. Fetnale : length (skins) 5.04-5.65, wing 2.85-3.00, tail 
2.20-2.27, bill .40-.46. 

Distribution. — Breeds in California and western Oregon. 

GENUS AMMODRAMUS. 

General Characters. — Tail feathers narrow, the middle ones, at least, 
pointed; primaries exceeding secondaries by less than length of tarsus; 
middle toe with claw not shorter than tarsus. 

KEY to species. 

1. Tail rounded or graduated. 

2. Nape marked with rusty brown. 

3. Median crown stripe pale buffy ; back streaked with rusty and black. 

leconteii, p. 335. 
3'. Median crown stripe slaty gray ; back streaked with chalky white. 

nelsoni, p. 335. 
2'. Nape marked with olive. 

3. Back rusty brown streaked with black . occidentalis, p. 334. 
3'. Back grayish olive streaked with chalky white and dusky. 

sennetti, p. 335. 
1'. Tail emarginate. 

2. Hind toe little if any longer than inner toe ; wing exceeding tail by 
decidedly more than length of tarsus ; tail feathers broader, less 
sharp pointed. 
3. Upper parts not distinctly streaked or spotted . rostratus, p. 333. 
3'. Upper parts distinctly streaked or spotted. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 331 

4. Upper parts olivaceous. Coast of southern California. 

beldingi, p. 332. 
4'. Upper parts grayish or grayish brown. 

5. Larger. Alaska ; south along Pacific coast in winter. 

sandwichensis, p. 331. 
5'. Smaller. 

6. Paler and grayer. Western North America. 

alaudinus, p. 332. 
6'. Darker and browner. Coast of central California in summer. 

bryanti, p. 332. 
2'. Hind toe decidedly longer than inner toe ; wing exceeding tail by 
little more than length of tarsus ; tail feathers narrower, more 
sharp pointed. 
3. Edge of wing white ; head and neck yellowish brown or buffy. 

bairdii, p. 333. 

3'. Edge of wing yellow ; head not yellowish brown or buffy ; nape 

rufous . bimaculatus, p. 334. 

Subgenus Passerculus. 

Hind toe little if any longer than inner toe ; wing exceeding tail by 
decidedly more than length of tarsus ; tail feathers broader, less sharply 
pointed. 

542. Aminodramus sandwichensis {GmeL). Sandwich Spar- 
row. 

Adults. — Crown stripe and superciliary well marked, and superciliary 

usually decidedly yellow ; upper parts 
grayish brown, heavily streaked with 
black, the streaks in sharp contrast 
to feather edgings of whitish, grayish, 
or buffy ; under parts white, some- 
times, especially in fall and winter, 
^' ■ tinged with buffy on sides and chest ; 

sides of throat, chest, sides, and flanks streaked with blackish ; longer under 
tail coverts with concealed streaks. Young : similar, but light streaks of 
upper parts buffy, dark streaks of lower parts less defined, superciliary 
usually without yellow, and finely streaked with dusky. Male : length 
(skins) 4.93-5.75, wing 2.92-3.14, tail 2.00-2.20, bill .44-.50. Female: 
length (skins) 4.8S-5.74, wing 2.70-3.06, tail 1.85-2.10, bill .44-.50. 

Bemarks. — The sandwichensis group is distinguished by black streaks 
on upper parts in connection with distinct superciliary and median crown 
stripe, and streaks on under tail coverts being concealed. The exposed 
culmen is also longer than hind toe without claw, and wing less than seven 
times as long as exposed culmen, the bill straight or even concave in the 
middle. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast, from Alaska to the Columbia River, 
rarely to northern California. 

Nest. — On the ground, in meadows or other grassy places. Eggs : 3 to 
6, pale brownish, varying to dull whitish or greenish white, spotted with 
brown, occasionally with a few darker marks. 
Food. — Insects, and weed and grass seed. 

In Alaska Mr. Nelson found the Sandwich sparrow mainly on 
rocky beaches, though it also frequented grassy flats. He describes 




332 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

its song as a " short, weak succession of notes, somewliat similar to 
those of alauclinus. " 

542b. A. s. alaudinus [Bonap.). Western Savanna Sparrow. 

Similar to sandwichensis, but smaller and averaging- grayer, superciliary 
stripe often white. Male : length (skins) 4.50-5.58, wing 2.56-3.06, tail 
1.80-2.25, bill .38-.48. Female: length (skins) 4.50-5.20, wing 2,56-2.87, 
tail J.76-2.10, bill .38-.45. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Plains to the Pacific coast, and from the 
arctic coast to southern end of Mexican tablelands ; in winter south to 
highlands of Guatemala. 

Among the many inconspicuous, plain, little striped-backed spar- 
rows of the western United States, alaudinus is one of the common- 
est, plainest, and most inconspicuous. Anywhere in the meadows, 
prairie grass, or weed patches, one may dart out from under your 
feet, zigzag over the grass-tops for a little way, and drop into the 
grass, hopelessly lost until he is again forced to take wing. At a 
distance you see and hear the birds giving their plain little song 
from the top of a tall weed or fence stake, but on nearer approach 
they drop into the grass and are lost. While really abundant they 
often escape notice until you tramp ' cross lots' through the meadows. 

Veknon Bailey. 

542c. A. s. bryanti Bidgw. Bryant Marsh Sparrow. 

Like sandwichensis, but darker and browner, with uiider parts more 
heavily streaked with black, and in winter plumage, chest, and sides 
strongly tinged with brownish buff. Male : length (skins) 4.53-5.00, wing 
2.51-2.80, tail 1.74-2.00, bill .40-.45. Female: length (skins) 4.40-4.65, 
wing 2.47-2.69, tail 1.70-1.92, bill .40-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds in salt marshes about San Francisco and Monte- 
rey Bays ; south in winter along the coast to southern California ; occa- 
sional in winter in Valley of Mexico. 

543. Ammodramus beldingi Bidgw. Belding Marsh Spar- 
row. 

Adults. — Median crown stripe and superciliary usually very indistinct 
or wanting; ground color of upper parts olivaceous, streaked with black 
very broadly on back ; lower parts thickly and broadly streaked with 
black ; fore part of superciliary stripe olivaceous yellow ; under tail coverts 
with concealed streaks. Young : similar, but upper parts with more buffy ; 
dusky streaks of lower parts less sharply defined, and superciliary finely 
streaked and usually without yellow. Male : length (skins) 4..54-5.50, 
wing 2.52-2.82, tail 1.85-2.00, bill .41-.50. Female: length (skins) 4.35- 
5.50, wing 2.40-2.66, tail 1.67-1.83, bill .40-.45. 

Bemarks. — The Belding sparrow may be distinguished from the sand- 
wichensis group by the absence of distinct superciliary and crown stripes, 
and darker general coloration. 

Distribution. — Salt marshes along coast of southern and Lower Califor- 
nia from Santa Barbara to San Quentin Bay and Todos Santos Island. 

Nest. — In salt grass about 6 inches from the ground ; made of straws 
and horsehair or feathers. Eggs : usually 3, light blue, irregularly marked 
with lilac and reddish brown at larger end or over entire surface. 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 333 

The Belding marsh sparrow is an abundant resident of the salt 
water marshes along the coast of southern California, nesting in the 
marsh grass just above the reach of the tide. 

544. AmmodraniUS rostratus Cass. Large-billed Sparrow. 

ZTpper parts light grayish brown, indistinctly streaked; under parts exten- 
sively streaked with sandy brown ; hill 
long and swollen and regularly curved 
from base. Male: length (skins) 5.10- 
5.70, wing 2.72-2.92, tail 1.95-2.17, 
bill .48-54. Female: length (skins) 
5.20-5.70, wing 2.52-2.83, tail 1.83- Fig. 421. 

2.14, bill .42-.51. 

Remarks. — The large bill and nearly uniform light brown coloration of 
upper parts distinguish this sparrow from the rest of the group. 

Distribution. — Winters from Cape St. Lucas and Guaymas, Mexico, to 
Santa Cruz, California. 

Mr. Stephens reports that the large-billed sparrow is a common 
winter resident of the seacoast of southern California, where it is 
seldom found more than half a mile from the water's edge, but that 
it prefers streets and the neighborhood of buildings to marshes. In 
San Pedro Harbor, Mr. Grinnell tells us, it "frequents the wharves 
and breakwaters, and even hops fearlessly about the decks of vessels, 
feeding on crumbs and flies." 

Subgenus Centronyx. 

Hind toe decidedly longer than inner toe ; wing exceeding tail by little 
more than length of tarsus ; tail feathers narrow, sharp pointed. 

545. Ammodramus bairdii {Aud.). Baird Sparrow. 

Adults. — Head yellowish brown or buffy, crown streaked with black 
laterally ; back light brown, spotted with black, feathers with light edgings; 
under parts white, throat bordered by 
black stripes ; chest, sides, and flanks 
streaked with black ; tail deeply emargi- 
nate, the lateral feathers longest, the 
feathers all narrow and pointed at tip. 
Young : similar, but feathers of crown j-j™ 4.22. 

and back distinctly bordered with buffy 

and streaks on chest less sharply defined. In winter the buffy color more 
pronounced than in summer, strongly tinging chest and sides. Male : 
length (skins) 4.80-5.40, wing 2.80-2.86, tail 2.05-2.10, bill .41-.43. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 4.65-4.95, wing 2.60-2.70, tail 1.90-2.10, bill .40-.42. 

Remarks. — The feathers of the members of the subgenus Passerculus 
are streaked, the dark center of the feather being a narrow shaft streak ; 
but in A. bairdii and others of the sharp-tailed group the darkest part of 
the feather instead of being a line is a wide stripe, an oval, or a terminal 
eye spot, narrowly and quite imiformly bordered with lighter, giving an 
effect of spotting rather than streaking. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Saskatchewan plains to Nebraska and 
migrates through Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to northwest- 
em Mexico ; casually westward to Washington. 





334 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

Nest. — On ground in open situations, composed of dried grasses. Eggs i 
3 to 5, whitish, varying in tint, and spotted with reddish brown and lined 
with black. 

In North Dakota, Dr. Fisher has found the Baird sparrow common 
in " low depressions of the prairie where the high grass has been left 
standing." 

Subgenus Coturniculus. 

Tail weak, of narrow lanceolate feathers ; wing short, with inner sec- 
ondaries reaching nearly to tip Avhen closed, seventh secondary much the 
longest. 

546a. Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus (Swains.). 

Western Grasshopper Sparrow. 

Adults in summer. — Under parts buffy on throat and sides, unmarked ; 

upper parts reddish brown, black, gray, and buffy ; crown with median 

buffy stripe between two blackish stripes; 

nuchal patch ash gray, marked with reddish 

brown ; feathers of back with black eye spots 

nicked with reddish brown ; edge of wing 

Fig. 423. yellow ; tail double rounded and feathers 

sharp pointed. Adults in winter: brighter colored, chest and sides sometimes 

indistinctly streaked with brown. Young : with little or no reddish brown 

on upper parts, the feathers being more conspicuously bordered with buffy 

and whitish ; median crown stripe more ashy ; lower parts entirely dull 

buffy whitish,^chest distinctly streaked with dusky. Male : length (skins) 

4.20-5.10, wing 2.2-5-2.61, tail 1.69-2.02, bill .40-.46. Female: length 

(skins) 4.40-4.85, wing 2.39-2.51, tail 1.82-2.00, bill .40-.44. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the western United States from the Plains to 
the Pacific coast, from British Columbia, Dakota, and Montana south to 
southern California and Arizona ; migrates to Cape St. Lucas, Lower Cali- 
fornia, and Central America. 

Nest. — On ground, bulky, with deep cavity, often more or less arched 
over on top, and composed of dried grasses. Eggs : 3 to 5, white, spotted, 
chiefly on larger end, with reddish brown, sometimes mixed with a few 
small black markings and touches of lilac gray. 

The western grasshopper sparrow lives in grassy fields, where it 
often sings from the top of a tall weed for an hour at a time. When 
startled, instead of flying, it drops down and runs off through the 
grass. Like most members of the genus Ammodramus, Dr. Judd 
says, it feeds much less on vegetable matter than most other spar- 
rows. "Insects form their staple diet, and of these, beetles, grass- 
hoppers, and caterpillars are the most important. As a destroyer 
of insect pests the grasshopper sparrow is most efficient." 

547a. Ammodramus henslowii occidentalis Brewst. West- 
ern Henslow Sparrow. 
Adults. — Top of head and nape grayish olive, head with two broad 
stripes of black spots, nape more finely and sparsely spotted ; feathers of 
back with coarse median streaks of black, bordered with pale chestnut, 
changing to a broad grayish margin j under parts dull white, breast and 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 335 

sides finely streaked, flanks more broadly ; sides of head bufpy white, with 
a touch of yellow above the eye ; two narrow black stripes from bill, and 
one back of eye ; shoulders tinged with greenish yellow and bend of wing 
yellowish white. Length: (skins) 4.50-4,59, wing- 2.12-2.13, tail 1.88-1.90, 
bill .45-.48. 

Distribution. — Sontli Dakota in summer, and probably other regions 
along- the eastern border of the Plains. 

548. Ammodramusleconteii (.Iwrf.). Leconte Sparrow. 

Adults. — Crown with two blackish stripes in sharp contrast to buffy 
and grayish median stripe ; sides of head and superciliary buffy or yellow- 
ish brown ; hind neck chestnut, feathers edged with g-rayish ; rest of upper 
parts brownish, marked strikingly with blackish and bufl:y, the feathers 
black, notched with grayish, with rufous and bufFy cream U-shaped 
edg-ings ; throat, breast, and sides bufl:"y ; belly white ; sides and flanks 
streaked ; bill small and slender ; tail graduated. Young : much more 
buffy, deeper above, paler beneath, body streaked with blackish, more 
narrowly on under parts. Male: length (skins) 4.15-4.74, wing 1.94-2.12, 
tail 1.81-2.05, bill .;];}-.40. Female: length (skins) 4.35-5.00, wing 1.93- 
2.10, tail 1.83-2.20, hill .33-.39. 

IHatrihution. — Breeds in prairie marshes of Transition and Upper 
Sonoran zones, from Assiniboia and Manitoba southeast to Indiana ; win- 
ters in the southern states ; accidental in Idaho. 

Nest. — Near the ground in dense fallen grass, made of grass, cup- 
shaped. Eggs : 4 or 5, pale greenish white, heavily spotted with reddish 
brown and lavender. 

Subgenus Animodramus. 

Tail rounded, feathers sharp pointed ; wing short and 
rounded, secondaries nearly even. 

Fig. 424. 

549.1. Ammodramus nelsoni [Allen). Nelson Sparrow. 

Adults. — Superciliary briglit buff, sharply contrasting witli dark brown 
or blackish sides of crown ; middle of crown, back of head, and liind neck 
gray, more or less mixed with rusty ; middle of back dark brown, strikinglif 
marked with chalky white streaks; edge of wing yellow; tail rounded; 
under parts white, sides of throat, chest, and sides washed with buffy or 
yellowish brown, and indistinctly streaked with darker. Young : upper 
parts dxiU yellowish brown ; sides of crown chiefly black ; back broadly 
streaked Avith black ; under parts buff, streaked on chest with dusky. 
Male: length (skins) 4.50-4.90, wing 2.10-2.48, tail 1.80-2.07, bill .40-.42. 
Female : length (skins) 4.40-4.80, wing 2.05-2.20, tail 1.70-1.90, bill .40- 
.42. 

Distribution. — Breeds in prairie marshes of the interior fi-om Manitoba 
to northern Illinois ; migrates to the Atlantic coast, and winters south to 
Gulf coast of Texas ; accidental in California. 

Eggs. — Similar to those of leconteii. 

Food. — Insects, especially leaf -hoppers, midges, and horseflies, together 
with weed seed. 

550b. Ammodramus maritimus sennetti Allen. Texas 
Seaside Sparrow. 
Adults. — Upper parts olive gray, streaked with black and whitish ; lores 
and edge of wing bright yellow ; throat white ; rest of under parts grayish 



336 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

or buffy, faintly streaked with gray. Young : upper parts g-rayish brown, 
streaked with black ; under parts pale fulvous white, strongest on sides of 
neck and flanks. Male: length (skins) 5.20-5.50, wing 2.80-2.42, tail 
1.92-2.27, bill .50-.53. Female : length (skins) 4.95-5.40, wing 2.15-2.30, 
tail 2.00-2.15, bill .49-. 52. 

Distribution. — Coast of Texas. 

Eggs. — 3 or 4, pale greenish white, finely spotted over entire surface 
and wreathed around larger end with reddish brown and plum color. 

GENUS CHONDESTES. 

General Characters. — Bill conical ; wing long and pointed ; tail long, 
rounded ; tarsus about twice as long as exposed culmen. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Averaging darker and grayer grammacus, p. 336. 

1'. Averaging paler and browner strigatus, p. 336. 

552. Chondestes grammacus {Say). Lark Sparrow. 

Similar to the western lark sparrow, but averaging darker and grayer, 
with black streaks on back broader and chestnut on head rather darker ; 
wings and tail shorter. Male : length (skins) 5.50-6.40, wing 3.23-3.69, 
tail 2.54-3.08, bill .41-.48. Female : length (skins) 5.80-6.15, wing 3.20- 
3.38, tail 2.54-2.70, bill .44-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran zone in southern Ontario and 
through the Mississippi Valley region to Texas and Alabama ; and from 
Ohio west to western Nebraska ; casually to Atlantic coast and (during 
migration) Florida. 

Nest and eggs like those of strigatus. 

552a. C. g. strigatus (Swaitis.). Western Lark Sparrow. 

Adults. — Sides of head with chestnut patch and black and white streaks ; 
crown chestnut, with white or buffy median stripe ; rest of upper parts 
brownish gray, the back streaked with blackish ; tail blackish brown with 
white corners, all but middle feathers tipped with white ; under parts white, 
with a small black central spot on breast. Young : without chestnut patch 
or black and white streaks on head ; entire upper parts buffy or brownish, 
streaked ; chest with wedge-shaped blackish streaks. Male : length (skins) 
5.60-6.60, wing 3.20-3.62, tail 2.52-3.00, bill .41-.54. Female: length 
(skins) 5.50-6.75, wing 3.12-3.51, tail 2.40-2.81, bill .42-.51. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones, from 
British Columbia and Manitoba south to the plateau of Mexico, and from 
the plains to California ; migrates to Guatemala. 

Nest. — On ground or in bushes or trees, sometimes in mistletoe or 
mesquite, made of dried grasses, plant stems, and fibers. Eggs : 3 to 6, 
white, sometimes with a faint bluish or brownish tinge, speckled and lined 
chiefly on larger end with black and brown. 

Food. — Grasshoppers, locusts, and weevils, with seeds of weeds and 
grass, and waste grain. 

The lark sparrow is one of the commonest, most familiar western 
birds, seeming equally at home when walking over the smooth lawn 
of a Pasadena millionaire, singing from the top of the sagebrush, or 
perching on a Spanish bayonet on a rocky Texas mesa. 




WESTERN LARK SPARROW 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 337 

As he sits he has a trick of raising his crown every few minutes, 
calling especial attention to his directive face marking, and the 
moment he flies his white tail crescent shows conspicuously. 

He is much in evidence, not only from his abundance and his con- 
spicuous markings but from his musical song, which is heard almost 
continuously wherever he is found. The song is long and varied and 
has a purring phrase which is especially characteristic. Like the 
house finch he sings with fine fervor when dancing before his mate 
with spread tail and quivering wings. 

GENUS ZONOTRICHIA. 

General Characters. — Bill small, compressed, conical ; tail nearly or quite 
as long as wing, slightly rounded ; tarsus not more than a third the length 
of tail. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Top of head wholly black or mottled querula, p. 337. 

1'. Top of head striped. 

2. Crown with yellow patch coronata, p. 339 

2'. Crown striped black and white. 

3. Throat with white patch albicollis, p. 340. 

3'. Throat without white patch. 

4. Lores black leucophrys, p. 338. 

4'. Lores not black. 

5. Back ashy, marked with brown .... gambelii, p. 339. 
5'. Back olivaceous, marked with blackish . o nuttalli, p. 339. 

653. Zonotrichia querula (Nutt). Harris Sparrow. 

Adults.^— To-p of head and throat solid black, black streaking down 
over middle of breast ; rest of under parts 
white; sides and flanks buff y brown, streaked 
with darker brown ; upper parts brown ; 
back and scapulars streaked *with blackish ; 
wings with two white bars. Young, first '^" 

plumage (described by Preble) : upper parts blackish, feathers edged with 
buff y and brown ; wing quills edged with buffy and brown ; tail feathers 
edged and tipped with whitisli ; sides of head and under parts buffy ; 
malar stripe conspicuous ; chest and sides streaked with black. Male : 
length (skins) 6.40-7.33, wing 3.43-3.60, tail 3.14-3,38, bill .50-.52. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 6.66-6.95, wing 3.15-3.35. tail 3.04-3.16, biU .48-.51. 

Remarks. — Some specimens have black throat patch and crown feath- 
ers tipped with grayish. Mr. Ridgway thinks these may be young birds. 

Distribution. — Interior of British America (Fort Churchill and Hudson 
Bay), wintering south over the interior plains to southern Texas; acci- 
dental in British Columbia and Oregon. 

The breeding range of the Harris sparrow is unknown except for 
Mr. Preble's Fort Churchill record. The last of July among the 
dwarf spruces of Fort Churchill he found an adult male and female 
with young just from the nest.i 

» •' Biological Investigation of Hudson Bay Region." By Edw. A. Preble. Fauna 22, 
Biol. Surv. 



338 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



The habits of the Harris sparrow are largely common to those of 
the genus. In describing them Colonel Goss says: ''The birds 
inhabit the thickets bordering streams and the edges of low wood- 
lands. They are usually met with in small flocks. A favorite resort 
is in and about the brush heaps, where the land is being cleared. 
They seldom mount high in the trees, but keep near the ground, 
upon which they hunt and scratch among the leaves for seeds and 
insect life. 

" They commence singing early in the spring, and upon warm, 
sunshiny days their song can be heard almost continually, as one 
after the other pours forth its pleasing, plaintive, whistling notes, in 
musical tone much like the white-throated sparrow, but delivered 
in a widely different song." Prof. Cooke says that in addition to 
their alMcolUs whistle they have a ' qnieer, chuckling note.' (See 
Cooke on "Distribution and Migration of Zonotrichia querula," 
The Auk, \. ^^%.) 

654. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst). White-crowned Spar- 
row. 
Adult male. — Top and sides of head striped with black and white, white 

median stripe usually as wide as 
adjoining" black stripes ; lores black, 
white superciliary stripe not extend- 
ing- forward of eye ; edge of wing 
ivhite ; under parts plain gray ; back 
with fore parts gray ; rump brown. 
Adult female; like male and some- 
times indistinguishable, but usually 
with median crown stripe narrower 
and grayer. Young : like adults, but 
head stripes brown and buffy instead 
of black and white ; under parts 
buify, and chest, sides of throat, and 
sides streaked. Male : length (skins) 
5.84-6.74, wing 2.98-3.28, tail 2.68- 
3.23, bill .43-.47. Female: length 
(skins) 6.00-6.63, wing 2.89-3.17, tail 
2.69-3.00, bill .41-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper 
Canadian zone in the United States 
and Canada, from Quebec and Labra- 
dor north to Hudson Bay and Green- 
land and throughout most of the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, 
south to New Mexico and Arizona ; winters south through the United 
States and Lower California to Guanajuato, Mexico. 

Nest. — On or near ground, in sub-alpine meadows, often in willows 
along streams, made of fine twigs, rootlets, and grasses. Eggs : 3 to 5, 
pale greenish blue, varying to brownish, spotted with reddish brown. 

Food. — Caterpillars, ants, wasps, and weed seed, including that of 
Johnson grass and ragweed. 

The white- crowned sparrow is preeminently the sparrow of the 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 426. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 339 

mountains. Along the willow bordered streams that run through 
the mountain meadows in the Sierra its thin, sharp chip of parental 
anxiety is often heard, and its song dominates the bird chorus. The 
song is composed of two long whistled notes, the first sliding up to 
the second with grace notes, the second followed by a lower note 
repeated rapidly three times. The two long whistled notes are rich 
and plaintive in tone, suggesting the whistle of the pine woods 
sparrow, and as they ring through the cool, pure air day after day 
seem to give expression to the deep pervading peace and serenity of 
the mountains. 



554a. Z. 1. gambelii (Nutt.). 
Sparrow. 



Gambel Sparrow : Intermediate 



Similar to leucophrys, but lores not black, 
ing- to bill. Male : length (skins) 
5.85-6.48, wing- 3.00-3.28, tail 2.58- 
2.92, bill .39-.44. Female: length 
(skins) 5.73-6.43, wing 2.90-3.25, tail 
2.64-2.93, bill .39-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Alaska 
to Montana and eastern Oregon ; mi- 
grates south through the western 
United States to Lower California 
and Central Mexico ; straggling east 
to Iowa. 

Eggs. — Similar to those of the 
white -crowned, but cinnamon colored 
or rusty style prevailing. 

Food. — Cutworms, caterpillars, and 
other insects as well as weed seed. 



liite superciliary stripe reach- 




Fig. 427. 



554b. Z. 1. nuttalli Bidgw. Nuttall Sparrow. 

Adults. — Like leucophrys, but lores not black and superciliary stripe 
extending to bill ; median crown stripe usually narrower than lateral 
stripes, edge of wing yellow, and adults with upper parts brown instead of 
gray, streakings dark brown or blackish, and under parts brownish gray. 
Young : ground color of upper parts light huffy olive ; under parts pale 
yellowish. Male : length (skins) 5.86-6.67, wing 2.83-2.96, tail 2.68-2.96, 
bill .41-.47. Female : length (skins) 5.37-6.40, wing 2.66-2.79, tail 2.50- 
2.73, biU .39-.47. 

Remarks. — Of the three sparrows, the white-crown, the Nuttall, and the 
Gambel, the white-crown may be distinguished by its black or dark brown 
lores ; the adult Nuttall sparrow by brownish instead of grayish coloration ; 
and usually a median crown stripe that is narrower than the lateral 
stripes ; and the adult Gambel by the combination of white lores, gray 
coloration, and broad median crown stripe. 

Distribution. — Breeds from British Columbia to Monterey, California ; 
migrates to Lower California. 

Food. — Insects, grain, and weed seed. 

557. Zonotriehia coronata {Pall). Golden-crowned Sparrow. 
Adults. — Crown inclosed by black stripes, with median stripe yellow in 




340 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

front, ash gray behind; rest of upper part olive brown, streaked on back 

with blackish brown : rurap and tail plain ; 
wing with two white bands ; under parts 
gray ; sides and flanks washed with brown. 
Young : similar, but black crown stripes 
Fig. 42S. Golden-crowned Sparrow, replaced by brown streaked with black, 
and median stripe dull brownish yellow flecked or streaked with dusky, 
the ash gray wanting ; upper parts washed with brownish ; under parts 
soiled whitish. Male : length (skins) 5.93-7.13, wing 2.99-3.28, tail 2.89- 
,3.28, biU.44-.52. Female: length (skins) 6.15-6.65, wing 2.90-3.17, tail 
2.71-3.25, bill .45-.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Alaska ; migrates south along the Pacific coast 
to Lower California, straggling east to Nevada, Colorado, and Wisconsin. 
Nest. — In alder patches. Eggs : usually 5, colored like the more dis- 
tinctly spotted style of the white-crowned sparrow. 

In winter the golden-crowns are among the common birds of the 
San Francisco parks and cemeteries and are so tame they will hop 
over the grass and down the paths close to the bench on which you 
are sitting. The sparrow flock usually includes more white-crowns 
than goldens, but all are equally and delightfully familiar. In some 
of the parks the birds seem especially fond of sunning themselves 
on the budding Laurestinus bushes. 

Though the golden- crowns live mainly on seeds, you often see 
one jump up from the ground for an insect or run after one and 
swallow it as unconcernedly as if he were not supposed to be a 
vegetarian. 

In Los Angeles County, Mr. Grinnell says, they winter commonly 
from the mesas up to 5000 feet on the bushy mountain sides. 

558. Zonotrichia albicoUis (Gmel). White-throated Sparrow. 

Adult male. — Throat pure white sharply contrasted with gray of breast ; 
head striped with black and white ; superciliary yellow from bill to eyes ; 
edge of wing yellow ; back and scapulars rusty brown streaked 
with blackish ; rurap olivaceous or brownish. Adult female; 
sometimes indistinguishable from male, but usually with col- 
oration of head and under parts decidedly duller, crown stripe 
tinged with brown and huffy. Young in first winter : like 
Fig. 429. adult female, but duller, crown stripes browner. Young: 
throat not distinctly whitish, and stripes on head brown and huffy instead 
of black and white ; yellow in front of eyes more or less distinct ; under 
parts brownish white, streaked, except on belly. Male : length (skins) 
6.12-6.56, wing 2.85-3.04, tail 2.80-3.00, bill .42-.48. Female : length 
(skins) 5.91-6.30, wing 2.74-2.88, tail 2.68-2.90, bill .44-.46. 

Remarks. — The young of a/6ico//is can be distinguished from that of 
leucophrys by their deeper brown lateral crown stripes and more rusty 
back and wings. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Hudsonian zones from Hudson 
Bay and Labrador south to the northern United States, chiefly east, but 
also in Montana and Wyoming ; winters to Florida and southern Texas, 
straggling west to Oregon and California. 

Nest. — On the ground or in bushes, made largely of coarse grasses, 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 341 

rootlets, moss, and strips of bark, lined with finer grasses. Eggs : 4 or 5, 
finely and evenly speckled or heavily and irregularly blotched with 
brown. 

Food. — Insects, weed seed, and wild berries. 

The white-throated sparrow is one of the best whistlers of the 
musical genus ZonotricMa, his clear /, /, pea-hody, pea-body, pea- 
body, ringing finely through the spring air. Though chiefly an east- 
ern bird, he may be seen in Montana and Wyoming. 

GENUS SPIZELLA. 

General Characters. — Wing less than 3 ; bill small, conical ; tail emar- 
ginate or double rounded, middle feathers shorter than longest ; tarsus 
about length of middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Bill reddish brown or orange. 

2. Chin black, head slaty gray atrogularis, p. 345. 

2'. Chin whitish, head rufous and buffy .... arenacea, p. 344. 
1'. Bill black or yellowish brown. 
2. Crown rufous. 

3. Breast with pectoral blotch ochracea, p. 341. 

3'. Breast without pectoral blotch. 

4. Forehead and streak behind eye black. Rocky Mountains to 

Pacific coast arizonae, p. 342. 

4'. Forehead without black and no black streak behind eye. 

worth eni, p. 344. 
2'. Crown without rufous. 

3. Head and back grayish brown, uniformly and finely streaked with 

black breweri, p. 343. 

3'. Head and back gray and buffy, coarsely and irregularly streaked 
with black. Plains pallida, p. 342. 

559a. Spizella monticola ochracea Brewst. Western Tree 
Sparrow. 

Adults. — Bill yeMow in adults ; crown, stripe behind eye, and patch 
on sides of chest rufous, crown often, especially 
in winter, with ashy median stripe, or rufous 
obscured by grayish edges to feathers ; middle of 
back buffy, streaked with black and rusty ; wings ^S- 430. 

with two conspicuous white bars ; under parts grayish, chest with small 
dusky spot. Young : streaked beneath. Male : length (skins) 5.61-6.00, 
wing 2.87-3.24, tail 2.59-2.88, bill .38-.41. Female : length (skins) 5.41- 
5.69, wing 2.87-3.10, tail 2.60-2.70, bill .35-.39. 

Distribution. — Breeds from near the arctic coast through Alaska ; 
migrates as far east as the eastern border of the Plains, and south to New 
Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. 

Nest. — On ground or in low bushes, composed largely of dried grass 
and feathers. Eggs: 3 to 5, pale greenish blue, varying to brownish, 
speckled with reddish brown. 

Food. — Mainly seeds, largely weed seed. 

In its Alaskan home Mr. Nelson says the western tree sparrow is 
the most numerous of the sparrows that frequent the bushes, espe- 




342 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

cially along the coast of Bering Sea, where, on entering a thicket, 
the protesting tsip of the gentle bird may be heard on all sides. 

Coming south in fall, ochracea reaches Colorado in October and 
spends the winter, Prof. Cooke says, on the Plains and the lower 
part of the mountains, being common up to 7000 feet and occa- 
sionally seen as high as 9000 feet. 

560a. Spizella socialis arizonse Coues. Western Chipping 
Sparrow. 
Adults in summer. — Bill black ; top of head rufous, sometimes with in- 
dication of ashy median line and dark streak- 
ing' ; forehead blackish, cut by median white 
line ; superciliary stripe white or grayish, 
bordered below by narrow black eye stripe ; 
back brownish or pale bufpy, streaked with 
black : rump and upper tail coverts gray ; 
sides of head dull gray ; under parts white or 
ashy. Adults in winter : similar, but colors dul- 
ler and darker, ting'ed with brown on lower 
parts, black on forehead obscure or wanting, 
crown usually streaked with dusky, bill 
brown. Young: top of head brownish, 
j,j^ ^3j streaked with blackish ; superciliary buffy, 

streaked; breast streaked; tarsus less than 
twice as long as bill. Male : length (skins) 4.82-5.43, wing 2.64-3.00, tail 
2.11-2.57, bill .36-.41. Female: length (skins) 4.87-5.26, wing 2.62-2.98, 
tail 2A2-2A2, bill .35-.40. 

Remarks. — The paler coloration of the western chipping sparrow dis- 
tinguishes it from the eastern, while the absence of pectoral blotch and 
striking wing bars distinguishes it from the western tree sparrow, and 
the black marks on the forehead and behind the eye still further separate 
it from the Worthen sparrow. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
Alaska, perhaps to northern Mexico, and from the Rocky Mountains and 
western Texas to the Pacific coast ; migrates to Lower California and 
southern border of Mexican tablelands. 

Nest. — In trees or bushes, made of grass stems and lined with horse- 
hair. Eggs : 3 to 5, light greenish blue, speckled chiefly around the 
larger end with black and brown. 

Food. — Mainly caterpillars and other injurious insects and weed seed. 

In southern California, Mr. Grinnell says the western chippy is 
common about gardens and orchards in the mesa regions, breeding 
in the conifers on the mountains to 8500 feet. In Colorado and 
Arizona it breeds up to nearly 10,000 feet, though most comm6nly 
from 6000 to 7000 feet. 

At St. Mary's Lake, Montana, Mr. Howell heard one sing near his 
camp several nights as late as nine o'clock. 

561. Spizella pallida (iSwams.). Clay-coloeed Spakkow. 

Adults in summer. — Crown light brown with pale median stripe and 
llack-streaked sides ; superciliary buffy or whitish ; sides of head buffy 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 343 

brown bordered above and below by narrow blackish streak ; malar region 
whitish, bordered below by dusky streak along side of throat ; hind neck 
gray, narrowly streaked; back and scapulars brown, broadly streaked 
with black ; wing bars buily ; under parts whitish, washed with brown on 
chest and sides. Adults in winter : crown streaks narrower, and plumage 
more buffy. Young : upper parts buify or clay-colored ; chest and sides 
huffy, streaked with black. Male: length (skins) -4,64-5.41, wing- 2.34- 
2.49, tail 2,18-2,44, bill .34.-.39. Female : length (skins) 4.64-5.25, wing 
2.28-2.51, tail 2.08-2,40, bill ,35-.39. 

Hemarjcs. — The clay-colored and the Brewer sparrow both have 
streaked upper parts, but the clay-colored has a median crown stripe and 
plain gray hind neck, Avhile the Brewer is uniformly streaked on head, 
neck, and back. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zone from the Sas- 
katchewan plains south to Iowa and Nebraska and from Illinois Avest to 
western Montana ; migrates south to Lower California and southern end of 
Mexican tablelands. 

Nest. — In bushes in open situations. Eggs : usually 4, light greenish 
blue, speckled chiefly around the larger end with brown. 

The clay-colored sparrow is said to be almost exclusively terres- 
trial, though during the nesting season the males sing from the tops 
of bushes almost continually. The song Coues gives as three notes 
and a slight triU. Along the Red River in Dakota, he says, they 
nest in "open low underbrush by the river side and among the 
innumerable scrub- willow copses of the valley.". 

562. SpizeUa breweri Cass. Brewer Sparrow. 

Adults. — Entire upper parts streaked with black on grayish brown 
ground ; under parts soiled grayish. In 
winter, similar but more buffy. Young: 
like adults, but chest and sides streaked, 
streaks of upper parts broader and less 
sharply defined, and wings with two dis- 
tinct bands, Male: length (skins) 4.74- 
5.13, wing 2.37-2.59, tail 2.26-2.44, bill .34- 
.35. Female: length (skins) 4.60-5.19, 
wing 2.20-2.59, tail 2.26-2.50, biU ,34-36. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone 
sagebrush from British Columbia south to '^" 

southern Arizona, and from western Nebraska and western Texas to the 
Pacific coast ; south in winter along the western border of the Mexican 
tablelands. 

Nest. — In sagebrush, made of fine grass stems and leaves, lined with 
long horsehairs. Eggs : usually 4, and generally like those of the clay- 
colored sparrow, but more distinctly marked. 

The Brewer sparrow, known locally as the sagebrush chippie, is 
marked down as an ' arid transition ' species, and, true to his zonal 
colors, if any arid transition sagebrush strays to the sunny side of a 
high mountain ridge he will appear there with it, though his normal 
home is in the bottom of a desert. We once found him singing at 
8400 feet on the snowy crest of the Sierra, but on the sunny slope 
below was the inevitable sage. 




344 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

When among its favorite bushes the small sparrow is hard to see, 
for its quick darting flight ends on the earth and it runs over the 
ground like a mouse. The best view you can get of it is when it 
mounts a bush and throws up its finely striped head to sing. And 
what an odd little song it gives ! It has the metallic, insect-like 
quality of a marsh wren's song, and something the jingle of a 
canary's, but though unmusical the ditty is so cheery and bright as 
to be distinctly pleasing. 

The sparrows' morning and evening choruses are especially interest- 
ing, the evening the more so perhaps when the birds are feeding- 
young, as they have more time when their broods are attended to 
for the night. I heard the chorus for the first time in Sierra Valley, 
California, when we rode in through the sagebrush and camped on 
the edge of the pines just at sunset. The curious little tinkling 
song was coming up from all over the brush, and it seemed as if we 
had come upon a marsh full of singing, though subdued, marsh 
wrens. 

563a. Spizella pusilla arenacea Chadh. Western Field Sparrow. 

Adults. — Bill rufous or orange ; broad median crown stripe and some- 
times whole crown gray between reddish brown lateral stripes, which are 
sometimes indistinct ; postocular streak rufous ; hack grayish, rufous, and 
^^ffVi streaked with black ; wing with two distinct bars ; under parts 
whitish, slightly tinged -with rufous. Young : similar but colors duller 
and more suffused ; markings of head less distinct and lower parts streaked. 
Male: length (skins) 5.58-6.0ii, wing 2.69-2.80, tail 2.60-2.83, biU..37-.39. 
Female : length (skins) 5, wing 2.44, tail 2.47, bill .37. 

Hemarks. — The reddish bill and absence of pectoral blotch are enough 
to distinguish this sparrow from the western tree sparrow. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the northwestern part of the Plains in Ne- 
braska, South Dakota, and Montana ; migrates to northern Mexico. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, in old weed grown fields and thickets, 
made mainly of grass stems, Eggs : 3 to 5, white, tinged with green or 
buff, and speckled with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects and weed seed. 

564. Spizella wortheni Ridgw. Worthen Sparrow. 

Top of head dull reddish brown, indistinctly streaked with darker, rest 
of head, including forehead, ashy; back pale 
tawny, broadly streaked with black ; under 
parts whitish, tinged with buffy gray on cheeks 
and sides ; bill pinkish brown or cinnamon 
rufous. Male: length (skins) 4.98-5.07, wing 
2.63-2.76, tail 2.35-2.53, bill .37-.39. Female: 
length (skins) 5.06-5.25, wing 2.55-2.69, tail 
2.27-2.50, bill .35-.36. 

Remarks. — The Worthen sparrow may be 
distinguished from the western chipping by the 
absence of black on forehead and black streak 
behind eye. 
Distribution. — From Silver City, New Mexico, south on plateau of 

northeastern Mexico to southern Puebla. 





FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 345 

565. Spizella atrogularis (Cab.). Black-chinned Spakrow. 

Adult male. — Throat and ring around bill black ; head, neck, and lower 
parts gray, becoming- white on belly and under tail cov- 
erts ; back and scapulars rusty brownish narrowly streaked 
with blackish ; bill pinkish brown. Adult female : like 
male, but usually with black of chin restricted, often want- 
ing. Young : similar, but black replaced by gray, streak- 
ing on back narrower, chest indistinctly streaked. Male : '^" 
length (skins) 4.80-5.53, wing 2.37-2.75, tail 2.41-2.92, bill .34-.42. 
Female : length (skins) 4.90-5.45, wing 2.37-2.55, tail 2.33-2.75, bill .34- 
.39. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the desert ranges of California, Arizona, and 
southern New Mexico south to Lower California and to southern end of 
Mexican tablelands. 

Nest. — In bushes. Eggs : 3 to 5, plain light greenish blue. 

The black-chinned sparrow is common in Los Angeles County, 
California, in summer, on brushy mountain sides from the base of 
the foothills up to 7000 feet. Its song is said to resemble closely 
that of the eastern field sparrow. 

GENUS JUNCO. 

General Characters. — Bill conical ; wing rounded, primaries exceeding 
secondaries by much less than length of tarsus ; tail double-rounded ; 
tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe with claw ; hind claw nearly or 
quite as long as toe. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Head black or blackish. 

2. Black of head not sharply contrasted with brown of back. 

connectens, p. 347. 
2'. Black of head sharply contrasted with brown of back. 

3. Back dark brown oreganus, p. 347. 

3'. Back light brown. 

4. Sides of head and throat deep black . . . thurberi, p. 347. 
4'. Sides of head and throat slaty black .... pinosus, p. 348. 
1'. Head gray or brownish. 
2. Upper parts wholly gray. 

3. Wing with two white bars aikeni, p. 345. 

3'. Wing unmarked hyemalis, p. 346. 

2'. Upper parts gray and brown. 
3. Back bright rufous, 

4. Wing coverts and tertials rufous .... palliatus, p. 349. 
4'. Wing coverts and tertials not rufous. 

5. Under parts uniform ashy white .... dorsalis, p. 349. 
5'. Under parts not ashy white. 

6. Sides gray caniceps, p. 349. 

6'. Sides pinkish annectens, p. 348. 

3'. Back dull brown. 

4. Sides slightly pinkish montanus, p. 348. 

4'. Sides broadly pinkish mearnsi, p. 348. 

666. Junco aikeni Eidgw. White- winged Junco. 

Adult male. — Entire body almost uniform light slaty gray except for 



346 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

abruptly white belly ; wings usually with two white bars and tail with three 
outermost feathers almost wholly white. Adult female : similaT, but 
paler, upper parts tinged with brownish ; Aving bars less distinct, often 
obsolete. Young: entire body profusely streaked; under parts with 
whitish ground. Male: length (skins) 6.18-6.69, wing 3.21-3.66, tail 
2.96-3.10, bill .46-.51. Female: length (skins) 5.89-6.62, wing 3.19-3.32, 
tail 2.80-3.00, bill .45-. 49. 

Remarks. — This is the only junco with white wing bars, and there is 
only one other in the west in which back and chest are of the same color. 

Distribution. — Breeds in northwestern Nebraska, the Black Hills, North 
Dakota, and Wyoming ; migrates to Colorado and Kansas ; casually to 
Indian Territory. 

Nest. — On the ground, usually near canyon bottoms, made of grass, lined 
with grass and hair. Eggs : greenish white, lightly spotted with reddish 
brown and lavender. 

The white-winged junco winters in Colorado from the Plains to 
an altitude of 8000 feet in the mountains, where Professor Cooke 
finds it the commonest winter junco. 

567. Junco hyeraalis {Linn.). Slate-colored Junco. 

Adults. — Whole body, except white belly, dark slaty gray, often blackish 
on head in male and washed with brownish in imma- 
ture male and female, when the sides are also washed 
with pinkish brown ; two pairs of outer tail feathers 
white ; bill in life pinkish white or flesh-color. Young 
in first plumage : streaked on brown upper parts, and 
buffy white under parts, wings with brownish band. 
Male : length (skins) 5.44-6.23, wing 3.02-3.24, tail 2.49- 
2.80, bill .40-.46. Female : length (skins) 5.22-6.10, wing 
Fig. 435. 2.78-3.08, tail 2.45-2.64, bill .39-.46. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of North 
America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, and south in the mountains 
of northeastern United States to Pennsylvania ; winters south to the Gulf 
States ; casual in Arizona and California ; straggling to Siberia. 

Nest. — Usually on the ground, rather bulky, composed largely of 
dried grass stems and rootlets, lined with softer materials. Eggs: usu- 
ally 4 or 5, white, greenish, or buffy, speckled with reddish brown. 
Food. — Insects and weed seed. 

Juncos are foresters or mountaineers who are driven down from 
the mountains into the mild valleys when the severe snows come. 
In this way the Sierra species spends the winter in the parks and 
cemeteries of San Francisco. Others come from the far north and 
go on to spend their winters in the south. Several species winter 
in the Great Basin country. Some members of the west coast con- 
tingency spread out over the interior valleys or even go to such 
popular resorts as Pasadena, where they hop about over the ground 
under the pepper-trees as if finding the pink aromatic berries a feast 
spread to their taste. 

When seen away from home, or at any time except the nesting 
season, they are quiet, social birds, always sitting around in flocks, 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 347 

flying up together with a twitter and a flash of their white outer 
tail feathers, or singing in concert a sunny, pleasing warble. 

In the breeding season the gray-headed junco may be found nest- 
ing on the cold crests of the desert ranges in Nevada and the Great 
Basiu, the pink-sided in grassy parks in the pine forests of Mon- 
tana, and the Point Pinos at Monterey, where the fragrance of the 
pines is mingled with the distant roar of the Pacific. In their homes 
you find them more interesting than when in flocks, because they 
are now leading individual lives, but they are still the same trustful, 
gentle birds, ready to come into camp or to let you examine their 
nests. On Mt. Shasta and in the Sierra Nevada the Thurber junco 
nests in the fir forests and mountain meadows from an altitude of 
7000 to 8000 feet, frequently building near a brook under shelter of 
a broad-leafed hellebore. One nest found on Donner Peak was sunk 
in a bed of blooming heather. The brooding birds as a rule are very 
tame, though they sit around and tsip at you when you come near, 
and on rare occasions the mother will decoy. 

567a. J. h. oreganus {Towns.). Oregon Junco. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, and chest black or dark slaty, the black 
chest pattern outlined on the white of the under parts as a black convex ; 
middle of back dark brown; sides deep pinkish brown; three outer tail 
feathers with white, outside pair wholly white. Adult female : black of 
male replaced by slaty ; crown and hind neck washed with brown, and 
rest of upper parts brownish ; sides and flanks duller ; bill in life pinkish, 
tipped with dusky, and iris dark brown or claret color. In winter : colors 
stronger, and feathers of chest tipped with whitish. Young: streaked, 
on brown above, buify below. Male : length (skins) 5.50-6.07, wing- 2.86- 
3.08, tail 2.43-2.69, bill .41-.45. Female : length (skins) 5.17-5.79, wing 
2.78-2.86, tail 2.34-2.46, bm .41-.45. 

Bemarks. — The subspecies of hyemalis are black-headed and chested 
instead of gray as in hyemalis, aikeni, and annectens, and the chest line is 
convex instead of straight across from wing to wing. Of the hyemalis 
subspecies oreganus is the darkest, the head, neck, and chest of the adult 
male being deep black and the back dark chestnut brown. 

Distribution. — Breeds on the Pacific coast from Alaska to British Co- 
lumbia ; winters south to California ; straggling to eastern Oregon and 
Nevada. 

567b. J. h. connectens Coues. Intermediate Junco. 

Similar to oregarius, but head and neck blackish slate instead of jet 
black, back dull brown and sides pinkish brown. Male : length (skins) 
5.55-6.20, wing 3.00-3.22, tail 2.62-2.84, bill .42-.46. Female: length 
(skins) 5.40-5.92, wing 2.82-3.08, tail 2.30-2.71, bill .41-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the Rocky Mountain region from British Co- 
lumbia and Alberta to Washington and northern Oregon ; east probably to 
Montana and Idaho ; winters over the Rocky Mountain plateau to western 
Texas and northern Mexico ; straggling to California. 

567c. J. h. thurberi Anthony. Thurber Junco. 
Similar to oreganus, but wings and tail longer ; head, throat, and breast 



348 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

deep black, sharply contrasting with light brown of back ; sides buffy rather 
than phik; young- resembling- oreganus, but 
upper parts lighter. Male: length (skins) 

^^ 5.82-5.95, wing 2.94-3.12, tail 2.48-2.68, bill 

Fig. 436nFlmrber Junco. .40-46. Female: length (skins) 5.00-5.67, 

wing 2.82-2.94, tail 2.38-2.56, bill .41-.43. 
Distribution. — Breeds from southern Oregon south through the Sierra 
Nevada, desert, and coast ranges, probably to northern Lower California ; 
straggles to Arizona in winter. Migration mainly vertical. 

Nest. — On the ground, usually under a weed or bush or in a bank, 
rnade largely of fine grass and other plant stems, shreds of inner bark, 
lined with vegetable fibers and long porcupine or horse hairs. 

567d. J. h. pinosus Loomis. Point Pinos Junco. 

Like thurberi, but black replaced by slaty on sides of head and throat ; 
bill longer, general dimensions somewhat less. Young much more strongly 
tinged with buff below. Male : length (skins) 5.00-5.49, wing 2.40-2.90, 
tail 2.30-2.55, bill .40-. 45. Female: length (skins) 4.90-5.65, wing 2.62- 
2.79, tail 2.31-2.39, bill .40-.45. 

Distribution. — Southern coast range of California (Point Pinos, near 
Monterey). 

Nest. — As described by Emerson, in a slight hollow at the foot of a 
bunch of grass, made of leaves and lined with dead grass and a few cow 
hairs. 

567.1. Junco raontanus Bidgw. Montana Junoo: Mountain 
Junco. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, and chest slate color ; back dull light brown ; 
sides pale pinkish ; belly white ; outer tail feathers largely white. Adult 
female : similar, but duller, and brown of back extending up over crown. 
Adults in winter : plumage softer. Young injirst winter : similar to winter 
adults, but duller, feathers edged largely with brownish. Male: length 
(skins) 5.49-6.00, wing 3.02-3.28, tail 2.58-2.78, biU .39-.44. Female: 
length (skins) 5.25-5.69, wing 2.88-3.03, tail 2.35-2.65, bill .39-.44. 

Remarks. — Montanus resembles connectens, but is paler. It also sug- 
gests mearnsi, but its wings and tail are shorter, and the color of the 
head, neck, and chest darker. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Alberta south to Montana and Idaho ; win- 
ters south to Texas, Arizona, and Chihuahua, Mexico ; irregularly or 
casually to the Mississippi Valley and eastward. 

568. Junco mearnsi Bidgw. Pink-sided Junco. 

Adult male. — Head, neck, and chest clear light slaty gray ; sides exten- 
sively pink ; lores blackish ; back and scapulars dull brown. Adult female : 
similar, but brown of back extending up on crown ; sides less pinkish. 
Young : head and back brownish, streaked with blackish ; wings with 
brownish bars ; under parts streaked, on buffy or grayish ground. Male .• 
length (skins) 5.67-6.11, wing 3.14-3.34, tail 2.64-2.89. bill .40-.45. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 5.43-5.94, wing 2.90-3.37, tail 2.59-2.90, bill .40-.45. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Rocky Mountain region of Idaho and Mon- 
tana ; migrates to Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. 

568.1. Junco annectens Baird. Ridgway Junco. 

Similar to caniceps., bvit with sides and flanks pinkish vinaceous as in 
mearnsi. Length : 6.40, wing 3.13, tail 3.05, bill .47. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 349 

Distribution. — Not well defined ; has been taken in Nevada, Wyoming', 
Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. 

569. Junco caniceps (Woodh.). Gray-headed Junco. 

Adults. — Ash gray, except for white on middle o£ belly, bright rufous 
back, black lores, and white outer tail feathers ; iris dark brown or claret 
color. Young : streaked ; ground color of upper parts brown. Male : 
length (skins) .5.62-6.19, wing 3.21-3.41, tail 2.70-2.94, bill .42-.47. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 5.54-5.94, wing 2.95-3.30,_ tail 2.48-2.S1, biU .41-.46. 

Bemarks. — The gray sides distinguish this junco from all but the adult 
male hyemalis, which has no reddish brown back patch. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Rocky Mountain region, from the Black Hills 
to the Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico and Texas ; west from Col- 
orado to Nevada ; migrates to northwestern Mexico ; casually to southern 
California. 

570. Junco phseonotus paUiatus Ridgw. Arizona Junco. 
Adults. — Top of head and rump ash gray ; back bright brown ; greater 

icing coverts and tertials with outer webs chiefly rusty or rufous ; under parts 
whitish ; outer tail feathers largely white ; iris yellow. Young : streaked. 
Male : length (skins) 5.91-6.53, wing 3.00-3 26, tail 2.72-3.01, bill .44- 
48. Female : length (skins) 5.56-5.94, wing 2.91-3.00, tail 2.46-2.82, 
bill .44-.48. 

Remarks. — The Arizona and the red-backed juncos have the under 
parts nearly uniform, but the brown on the wings distinguishes palliatus 
from dorsalis. These two, with caniceps and male hyemalis, are all with- 
out pink on the sides. 

Distribution. — Breeds in mountains of southern Arizona and probably 
of northern Mexico. 

570a. J. p. dorsalis (Henry). Red-backed Junco. 

Adults. — Upper parts ashy gray, except for bright rufous back; under 
parts ashy white ; iris brown. Young : streaked; 
back reddish brown. Male : length (skins) 
5.81-6.45, wing 3.22-3.41, tail 2.87-3.03, bill 
.44-50. Female: length (skins) 5.49-6.12, Fie 437 

wing 3.00-3.21. tail 2.69-2.92, bill .45-.48. ^ * 

Remarks. — The absence of brown on the wings distinguishes this sub- 
species from palliatus. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones in mountains of 
New Mexico and northern Arizona ; winters south to western Texas and 
northern Mexico. 

Nest. — In clumps of oaks on hillsides, or, as described by Dr. Mearns, 
on ground in pine woods, concealed by bunch of wire grass, composed of 
loosely put together roots, stems of plants, grasses, and an occasional 
feather. Eggs : 4, greenish white, marked with lilac and reddish brown 
around one end. 

The coloration of most of the juncos is not particularly protective 
except as the color pattern disguises the bird's form, but the red- 
backed on the pine plateau of San Francisco Mountain. Arizona, 
spends a large part of its time about the fallen pine -tops, where the 
red" of its back and the red of the dead pine needles and old bark 
make a protective combination that, added to the gray of the body, 



350 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

which offsets the gray of the branches, results in a most effective 
disguise. 

GENTJS AMPHISPIZA. 

General Characters. — Bill small, nearly straight ; wing slightly rounded, 
but without elongated inner secondaries ; tail nearly equal to wings, 
feathers rounded at ends ; tarsus longer than middle toe and claw, side 
toes of unequal length. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Throat black. 
2. Smaller ; upper parts darker. Kansas to central Texas. 

bilineata, p. 350. 
2'. Larger, upper parts paler and browner. Western Texas to California. 

deserticola, p. 350. 
r. Throat white. 
2. Smaller and darker. West of Sierra Nevada . . . belli, p. 351. 
2'. Larger and paler. Sagebrush plains . . . nevadensis, p. 351. 

573. Amphispiza bilineata (Cass.). Black-thkoated Sparrow. 

Adults- — T.nres and throat patch black ; sides of head dark gray with 
two white stripes, under parts mainly white ; 
upper parts plain grayish brown ; tail, except 
middle feathers, marked with white. Young: 
without distinct black markings ; throat white, 
often marked with gray ; chest streaked ; wing 
coverts and edges of tertials light huffy brown. 
Male : length (skins) 4.80-5.25, wing 2.43-2.60, 
tail 2.27-2.47, bill .38-.39. Female: length 
(skins) 4.75-5.35, wing 2.38-2.60, tail 2.18-2.45, 
bill .38-.40. 

Distribution. — From western Kansas south 
to middle and eastern Texas and northeastern 
Mexico. 

Nest. — In bushes, sagebrush, and other 
^'^' ^""^ desert shrubs, composed of fine shreds of bark. 

Eggs : 3 or 4, plain greenish or bluish white, rarely lightly spotted. 

573a. A. b. deserticola Ridgw. Desert Sparrow. 

Adults. — Similar to A. bilineata " but averaging larger ; upper parts 
paler and browner, and white spot at end of inner web of outermost tail 
feather much smaller." (Ridgway.) Young: feathers of back edged 
with huffy rufous ; breast streaked with gray ; belly white. Male : length 
(skins) 4.90-5.45, wing 2.52-2.78, tail 2.40-2.69, bill .39-.42. Female: 
length (skins) 4.80-5.20, wing 2.45-2.60, tail 2.32-2.49, bill .36-.41. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone on the arid plains from 
western Texas and New Mexico — west of 103° — to the coast of south- 
ern California, and from northern Utah and Nevada south to northern 
Mexico and Lower California. 

Nest. — In sagebrush, cat's-claw, cactus, or other bushes, loosely made 
of dry grass and fine plant stems, lined with feathers, horsehair, and wool. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, bluish white. 

On long hot rides over the larrea and low mesquite plains of New 
Mexico the desert sparrow is the commonest bird of the way, its 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 351 



black tail always disappearing in the bushes ahead of the horses as 
you pass. 

When we were camped on the arid mesa of the Pecos River, 
among the sounds that were oftenest in our ears were the songs of 
the mockingbird and nonpareil, the iterant pe-cos' of the scaled quail, 
and the calls of the verdin and roadrunner, while, mingled with them, 
always tinkling from the bushes, was the cheery little time of" 
AmpMspiza. Tra-ree' -rah, ree' -rali-ree was one of the commonest of 
its varied modifications, and it was generally given with a burr like 
that of the lark sparrow. On all our walks through the thorn brush 
and climbs over the agave-speared hills we found the lovely little 
bird everywhere, sitting on top of the bushes singing with head 
thrown back in fine enjoyment of his bright lay. 

One small father bird, trying to attract us when we were taking 
notes on the first plumage of his brood, after twittering and calling 
in vain, flew excitedly to a bush top and fairly burst into song while 
his mate was trailing over the ground beside us, with the result that 
the brood grew so unmanageable that they popped out of the nest 
faster than we could put them back ! 

574. Amphispiza belli {Cass.). Bell Sparrow. 

Adults. — Throat bordered with black and white stripes ; breast with 
black blotch ; rest of under parts white ; orbital ring- and spot above 
lores white ; upper parts brownish gray, grayer on head, usually without 
distinct streaks ; wing coverts and tertials edged with buffy ; edge of wing' 
yellowish ; tail feathers black, indistinctly marked with lighter. Young : 
upper parts light g-rayish brown, streaked with black ; under parts buffy, 
streaked except on throat ; wing* with two rather distinct buffy bands. 
Male : length (skins) 4.90-5.70, wing- 2.82-2.79, tail 2.32-2.87, bill .32-.41. 
Female : length (skins) 5.00-5.60, wing 2.40-2.61, tail 2.30-2.70, bill .31- 
.39. 

Distribution. — From about latitude 38° in valleys and foothills of Cali- 
fornia, west of the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains, to north- 
ern Lower California. 

Nest. — About 3 feet from the ground, made of grasses and slender 
weeds, lined partly with hair. Eggs : 4, pale greenish, thickly spotted 
with reddish brown dots. 

In Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Grinnell finds the Bell 
sparrow locally common on the brush-covered washes of the mesas, 
extending up to 5000 feet in summer. 

574a. A. b. nevadensis (Ridgw.). Sage Sparrow. 

Adults. — Sides of throat with a series of narrow blackish streaks, but no 
continuous stripe ; chest with black spot ; sides and flanks faintly tinged 
with light brown ; rest of under parts whitish ; upper parts light grayish 
brown, back usually streaked narrowly but clearly ; outer web of lateral 
tail feather white. Young : like adults but upper parts and chest streaked, 
and wings with two buffy bands. Ifa/e;. length ^skins) 5.50-6.20, wing 



352 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

3.05-3.20, tail 2.78-3.09, bill .37-.41. Female : 

x:"' " , length (skins) 5.40-6.20, wing 2.85-3.15, tail 

2.65-2.98, bill .37-.41. 

^ Remarks. — The absence of a continuous 

*^. , stripe on the side of the throat is enough to 

t '*^ distinguish the sage sparrow from the Bell. 

f Distribution. — Breeds on sagebrush plains 

of Upper Sonoran zone from Oregon and Idaho 

~ ^ south to California and New Mexico ; winters 

^^/ in western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and 

^'; southern California. 

Nest. — In sage and other low bushes, made 

largely of fine shreds of sagebrush bark and 

Fig. 439. Sage Sparrow. dried grass stems. Eggs : 3 or 4, greenish 

white or dull grayish white, speckled, chiefly 

around larger end, with reddish brown, mixed with a few darker markings. 

As Amphispiza Ulineata is the bird of the creosote and mesqiiite 
deserts of the Lower Sonoran zone, so nevaderisis is one of the most 
characteristic birds of the sagebrush deserts of the Upper Sonoran. 
He is indeed well named, for you find him. everywhere throughout 
the sagebrush valleys of the Great Basin. His soft gray tones and 
faint streakings blend in well with the gray green brush. As he sits 
on top of the tallest bushes his long black tail and its gently tilting 
motion are good long range recognition marks. 

Most of the year the birds are silent, but during the breeding sea- 
son the sagebrush fairly rings with their simple but exquisitely 
sweet song. Yernon Bailey. 

GENUS PEUCJEA. 

General Characters. — Similar to AimopMla, but edge of wing yellow. 

KEY TO SPECIES.' 

lo Upper parts ashy, back spotted and barred with sandy brown. 

cassini, p. 352. 
1', Upper parts gray, streaked with dull rufous and spotted with black. 

botterii, p. 352. 

576. Peucsea botterii (S^cZaf.). Botteki Sparrow. 

Adults. — Upper parts grayish, streaked with dull rufous and spotted 
with black ; edge of wing yellow ; under parts plain dull huffy. Young : 
upper parts huffy, streaked with dusky ; under parts huffy ; throat, chest, 
and sides streaked. Male : length (skins) 5.10-6.35, wing 2.35-2.75, tail 
2.65-2.78, bill .45-.50. Female : length (skins) 5.20-5.70, wing 2.30-2.68, 
tail 2.22-2.53, bill .43-. 50. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley 
in Texas south over the plateau of Mexico to Chiapas. 

Nest. — On or near the ground. Eggs : (1 set) 4, pure white. 

578. Peucsea cassini {Woodh.). Cassin Sparrow. 
Adults. — Upper parts ashen, streaked with sandy brown ; feathers of back 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 353 

sandy brown with black shaft streak and black cross bar near tip, the edges 
gray ; upper tail coverts with transverse, round- 
ish, or crescentic dusky streaks ; middle tail 
feathers with indication of transverse bars ______„_ 

from median black shaft streak ; edge of wing Fig.^o"" Cassin Sparrow 
yellow, and shoulder tinged with yellow ; under 

parts grayish, tinged with brown on chest and sides. Young : chest and 
upper parts distinctly streaked. Male : length (skins) 5.15-5,80, wing 2.35- 
2.65, tail 2.40-2.82, bill .40-.46. Female : length (skins) 5.30-5.80, wing 
2.40-2.53, tail 2.50-2.75, bill .40-.47. 

Remarks. — In the field the sandy brown streaking of the gray upper 
parts is characteristic. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from Kansas south to 
Arizona and northern Mexico, and from Texas northwest to Nevada. 

Nest. — On ground, in low bushes, or tufts of grass. Eggs : 3 to 5, white 
or bluish white. 

When going quietly through the stunted bushes that make up a 
large part of the mesquite plains you often find yourself in the midst 
of a chorus of Cassin sparrows. Scattered through the bushes around 
you the little brown choristers one by one spring up several feet 
above the brush and with heads high and wings outspread in a rap- 
ture of song give themselves to the air, floating slowly down as 
they sing. The song is always melodious and pleasing, but at its 
best has something of the uplift and fine spiritual quality of that of 
the pine woods sparrow, gaining impressiveness from the abandon 
with which it is uttered. 

The birds sing in spring and early summer, and through the breed- 
ing season at least keep it up all day, closing with a blithe sunset 
concert. 

GENUS AIMOPHIIiA. 

General Characters. — Wing short, much rounded or truncate at tip, 
primaries exceeding secondaries usually by less than length of bill ; ter- 
tials not elongated ; tail graduated ; feathers narrow, but with rounded 
tips ; tarsus longer than middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Wing with bright rufous patch ....... carpalis, p, 353. 

1'. Wing without bright rufous patch. 
2. Upper parts mainly gray. In southwestern Texas. 

eremoeca, p. 355, 
2'. Upper parts mainly rufous. 

3. Smaller. In California ruficeps, p. 354. 

3'. Larger. Western Texas to Arizona ..... scottii, p. 354. 

579. Aimophila carpalis (Coues). Rufous-winged Sparrow: 

Bendire Sparrow. 

Adults. — Wings with conspicuous bright rufous patch ; crown heavily 

streaked with rufous, mixed with gray, and divided by narrow gray line ; 

rusty streak behind eye, and two blackish stripes from bill down side of 




354 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

throat ; back buffy brown, sharply streaked 
with black ; under parts grayish white. Young : 
entire upper parts grayish brown, broadly 
streaked with blackish ; patch on wing" coverts 
dusky, margined with pale brownish buff; 
under parts whitish, chest and sides broadly 
streaked with dusky. Male : length (skins) 
5.00-5.35, wing 2.40-2.60, tail 2.50-2.68, bill 
^ ,,, ^ , . , o40-.42. Female: length (skins) 4.85-5.25, 
'■ Spfrror"'"^ ^i"& 2.34-2.50, tail 2.43-2.65; bill .38-.42. 

Remarks. — The uniform bright rufous wing' 
patches of the adults of carpnlis are diagnostic. 
Distribution. — Arizona and northwestern Mexico. 
Nest. — On or near the ground. Eggs : 3 to 5, plain bluish white. 

In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, Mr. 
Scott found small flocks of the rufous-winged sparrows from an alti- 
tude of 3000 to 4500 feet. They were sometimes associated with 
the chipping sparrows, whose habits are similar. 

680. Aimophila ruficeps (Cass.). Rufous-crowned Sparrow. 

Adults.— ^ .l':fli/ reddish brown; rest of upper parts grayish or 

grayish brown, broadly streaked with reddish 

C #ir ,7*'' brown ; throat bordered by black stripe ; sides 

^^' ^ ' of head and neck and under parts pale buffy or 

'**,, ;, . brownish. I^oun^; like adult, but upper parts 

^^ ' ^^ dull brownish, streaked ; under parts ding'y 

' ' • buff, chest and sides streaked. Male : length 

^W-L^- (skins) 5.00-5.55, wing- 2.20-2.40, tail 2.25- 

/ \ ' - 2.65, bill .41-.50. Female: leng-th (skins) 

'?- '^ - 5.00-5.20, wing 2.18-2.30, tail 2.32-2.60, bUl 

Y\". 442. .43-.50. 

" '^' ' Remarks. — The prevailing dull reddish 

brown of the upper parts, tog-ether with the size, marks the rufous-crowned 
sparrow. 

Distribution. — From northern California — latitude 40° — south along- 
the Pacific coast to northern Lower California. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, made of grasses, lined with stems and 
sometimes a few hairs. Eggs : 3 to 5, plain white or bluish white. 

In Los Angeles County, Mr. Grinnell says, the rufous-crowned is 
tolerably common locally in the foothills throughout the year, but is 
most abundant in April. In the Grafton Hills, where Mr. Williams 
found it nesting, it was very shy and rarely seen, the brooding bird 
gliding from her nest and dodging around the tufts of grass until 
hidden behind a bush. 

580a. A. r. scottii (Senn.). Scott Sparrow. 

Similar to ruficeps., but larger, and sometimes not quite so bright. Male: 
length (skins) 5.30-6.10, wing 2.50-2.77, tail 2.60-2.92, bill .45-.55. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 5.30-5..50, wing 2.37-2.52, tail 2.50-2.67, bill .45-.50. 

Distribution. — From western Texas to southern Arizona and south to 
Durango, Mexico. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 355 

Nest. — As described by Scott, on bare ground, bulky, loosely made of 
coarse dried grasses. Eggs : 3, white. 

In the Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona, Mr. Scott found the 
Scott sparrow a common resident from 2000 to 4000 feet in winter, 
and nearly up to 10,000 feet in summer. When flushed, he says, 
instead of hiding in the thick grass it flies to the nearest tree, making 
little effort to conceal itself. 

In New Mexico we found it about rocky ledges of the Guadalupe 
Mountains. Its song in August was short and rather mechanical. 

580b. A. r. eremCBCa (Brown). Rock Sparrow. 

Similar to rujiceps, but prevailing color of upper parts ashy, feathers of 
back dull brownish centrally with black shaft streaks. Male: length 
(skins) .5.40-6.00, wing- 2.58-2.70, tail 2.60-2.80, bill .46-.51. Female: 
length (skins) 5.45-5.90, wing- 2.41-2.57, tail 2.45-2.85, bill .45-.51. 

Distribution. — From middle and southwestern Texas to Orizaba, Mexico ; 
breeds in limestone hills of middle Texas ; migrates to Vera Cruz, Mexico. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, usually sheltered by a bush. One — 
in Chisos Mountains — under soto, bulky, made of grass and lined with 
fine plant fibers ; with 4 bluish white eg-gs. 

GENUS MELOSPIZA. 

General Characters. — Wing short, rounded, primaries exceeding- second- 
aries by much less than length of tarsus ; tail rounded ; tarsus about equal 
to middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Chest buffy. 
2. Streaks on upper parts finer, not so black . . . lincolnii, p. 359. 
2'. Streaks on upper parts coarser and blacker . . . striata, p. 360. 
1'. Chest not buffy. 

2. Chest faintly if at all streaked . . . '. . . georgiana, p. 360. 
2'. Chest distinctly streaked. 

3. Upper parts mainly pale rufous fallax, p. 357. 

3'. Upper parts hot pale rufous. 

4. Upper parts sooty, rusty, brown, or olive. 
5. Upper parts dark sooty or rusty. 

6. Sooty, larger. Alaska ; to Olympics in winter. 

rufina, p. 358. 
6'. Rusty, smaller. 

7. Bill larger ; darker. Southern Alaska to Oregon ; to south- 
ern California in winter morphna, p. 358. 

7'. Bill smaller; lighter. Idaho to northern California; to 
Mexico and Arizona in winter . . merriUi, p. 359. 
5'. Upper parts brown or olive. 

6. Larger; wing (male) 2.42-2.80. Central valleys of Cali- 
fornia lieermanni, p. 357. 

6'. Smaller; wing (male) 2.21-2.51. Santa Cruz to Humboldt 

County, California samuelis, p. 358. 

4'. Upper parts grayish. 

5. Interscapulars streaked with black and brown. 




356 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

60 Wing (male) 2.49-2.84 ; bill stouter. Atlantic watershed. 

melodia, p. 356. 
6'. Wing (male) 2.58-2.91 ; bill more slender. Rocky Mountain 

plateau montana, p. 357. 

5'. Interscapulars without distinct brown streaks. 

6. Larger ; wing (male) 2.45-2.60. San Clemente, San Miguel, 

and Santa Rosa Islands, California . clementae, p. 359. 

6'. Smaller; wing (male) 2.29-2.41. Santa Barbara and Santa 

Cruz Islands, California graminea, p. 358. 

581. Melospiza melodia (Wilson). Song Sparrow. 

Adults. — Crown brown, narrowly streaked with black and with a nar- 
row gray median stripe ; scapulars and interscapulars streaked with black ; 
wings and tail brown ; middle and greater wing coverts 
brown, edged with lighter ; middle tail feathers with 
blackish shaft streaks ; superciliary olive gray ; malar 
stripe dull white or pale buffy ; under parts white ; chest 
with wedge-shaped streaks of black edged with rusty 
brown, forming an irregular median spot ; sides and 
flanks streaked with black and rusty brown. Young: 
„X , like adults, but without gray on upper parts ; ground 

color of back and scapulars buffy brownish or dull buffy ; 
under parts duller white, often quite buffy, with the streaks narrower, 
less distinct. Male : length (skins) 5.30-6.48, wing 2.49-2.84, tail 2.44- 
2.79, bill .45-.52. Female: length (skins) 5.15-6.10, wing 2.42-2.81, tail 
2.19-2.77, bill .45-.51. 

Remarks. — In summer the colors are grayer and streaks on chest nar- 
rower, sometimes with brown edgings worn off ; in winter the general 
coloration is browner, the brown more rusty, the gray more buff'y. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States west to the Rocky Mountains, 
north to Norway House, Lake Winnipeg. 

Nest. — In low bushes or on the ground, made chiefly of grasses lined 
with slender stems. Eggs : 4 or 5, dull greenish white, spotted with red- 
dish brown, sometimes concealing ground color. 
Food. — Mainly injurious insects and weed seed. 

As his name denotes, the song sparrow is on« of the most tuneful 
of the sparrow family. He is not a great or showy musician, but a 
singer of songs, plain every-day home songs with the heart left in 
them. His content and good cheer are so contagious that you wel- 
come his voice wherever you hear it. And you may hear it in every 
state of the Union, for, under whatever name he is known, he is a 
song sparrow still. 

At Neah Bay, Washington, where the rainfall reaches the maxi- 
mum for the United States, and the vegetation is dense and the soil 
dark, we find him almost sable brown, but on the deserts of the 
southwest his colors are pale sandy to match the light open ground. 
Indeed, his coat is so sensitive to slight changes of environment 
that he is a sore problem to makers of subspecies. But whatever 
trouble he unwittingly makes in the ornithological world, he is the 
same quiet, gentle bird, sunning himself in the bushes, running over 
the ground when attending to his affairs with wings close at his sides 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 357 

and tail perked up ; guarding his family with watchful care, and 
between times, as at all times, singing his glad little lay. 

581a. M. m. fallax (Baird). Desert Song Sparrow. 

General color light rufous ; upper parts light gray, streaked on back with 
rusty, usually without blackish shaft streaks ; 
streaks on chest clear rusty or rufous. Young : 
dull brown or huffy above, back streaked with 
brown ; huffy white below, chest streaked. 
Male: length (skins) 5.36-6.12, wing 2.56- Fig. 444. 

2.71, tail 2.59-2.81, bill .44-.50. Female: length (skins) 5.10-5.82, wing 
2.47-2.62, tail 2.39-2.78, bill .45-.48. 

Remarks. — The light color and rusty streaking distinguish this from 
all other song sparrows. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from southern Nevada 
and southeastern California to Lower California and Sonoi*a, Mexico. 

Nest. — In tufts of grass, low bushes, or on the ground. Eggs : 4, light 
greenish or dull bluish white, more or less spotted with brown. 

581b. M. m. montana (Hensh.). Mountain Song Sparrow. 

Upper parts grayish streaked with black and brown ; wings and tail 
brown ; under parts white, chest and sides 
streaked with brown, streaks more or less 
confluent on breast. Male : length (skins) 
5.58-6.49, wing 2.58-2.91, tail 2.50-3.02, bill 
.44-55. Female : length (skins) 5.35-6.34, Fig. 445. 

wing 2.46-2.75, tail 2.46-286, bill .41-.50. 

Remarks. — Montana is like melodia, but wings, tail, and tarsus average 
longer, bill smaller and relatively more slender ; coloration grayer ; the 
young paler, whitish instead of huffy below, less tawny above than in 
young of melodia. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in the Rocky Mountain and 
Sierra Nevada region of the United States ; migrates to western Texas 
and northern Mexico. 

58 le. M. m. heermanni (Baird). Heermann Song Sparrow.i 

Ground color brown or olive, streaked both above and below with blackish ; 
spots on chest distinct instead of massed in a pectoral blotch. Male : length 
(skins) 5.10-6.31, wing 2.42-2.80, tail 2.35-2.79, bill .45-.53. Female: 
length (skins) 5.46-5.64, wing 2.40-2.51, tail 2.25-2.58, bill .48-.50. 

Remarks. — The seasonal changes in plumage are marked, the summer 
birds being much more sharply and narrowly streaked than winter ones. 
Heermanni is like melodia, but smaller and browner, streaks on back 
averaging broader, those on chest darker ; young like that of melodia, but 
deeper tawny above, streaks broader ; under parts tinged with brownish 
buff, chest streaks broader. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone in central valleys of Cali- 
fornia ; migrates southward ; casually to Nevada. 

1 Melospiza fasciata coope7-i Ridgw. San Diego Song Spaerow. 

Like heermanni, but slightly smaller and much lighter and grayer. 

Distribution. — Southern coast district of California (north to Monterey Bay, east to 
Fort Tejon, San Bernardino, etc.), and Pacific coast of northern Lower California. {The 
Auk, xvi. 35.) 

Melospiza melodia santsecrucis Grinnell. Santa Cruz Song Sparrow. 

Like cooperi, but smaller, with weaker bill, and brown markings deeper and more 
extensive. 

Distribution. — Along fresh water streams heading in the Santa Cruz mountain region, 
from San Francisco south to Monterey Bay. {The Condor, i. 92.) 




358 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

58 Id. M. m. samuelis (Baird). Samuels Sokg Sparrow.^ 

Like heermanni, but smaller, with slenderer 

bill. Male : length (skins) 4.99-5.90, wing- 2.21- 

2.51, tail 2.09-2.43, bill .43-.50. Female : length 

^. ,„, (skins) 5.05-5.61, wing- 2.21-2.38, tail 2.10-2.35, 

7'e:-440. bill.45-.49. ' ^ ' 

Distribution. — Breeds in the coast region of California from Santa Cruz 
to Humboldt County. 

58 le. M. m. morphna (Oberk) Rusty Song Sparrow.^ 

Adults. — Upper parts rusty olive, the rusty brown and black streaks 

obscured ; chest widely marked with heavy 

dark rufous streaks ; flanks olivaceous instead 

of tawny. Young : back dark brown streaked 

with blackish ; under parts whitish or buffy 

'^" ■ grayish ; chest and sides buffy or brownish 

streaked with sooty brown. Male : length (skins) 5.69-6.46. wing 2.55- 

2.81, tail 2.39-2.87, bill .47-.54. Female : length (skins) 5.58-6.19, wing 

2.45-2.70, tail 2.28-2.67, bill .45-.52. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone in the Pacific coast region from 
southern Alaska to Oregon ; migrates to southern California. 

Nest. — As described by Kobb^, on horizontal branch of a small spruce, 
about 5 feet from the ground, made of coarse grass stems lined with fine 



The rusty song sparrow is said to be an especially water-loving 
subspecies, being found in swamps, brush patches along streams, 
and coast waters. 

58 If. M. m. rufina (Bonap.). Sooty Song Sparrow.^ 

Like morphna, but decidedly larger (except bill), darker, and more uni- 
form sooty rather than rusty ; back obsoletely streaked. Male : length 
(skins) 5.85-6.85, wing 2.63-3.02, tail 2.60-2.90, bill .48-.50. Female: 
length (skins) 5.50-6.00, wing 2.52-2.77, tail 2.30-2.76, bill .42-.50. 

Distribution. — Southern Alaska ; in winter to coast of British Colum- 
bia, Vancouver Island, and Olympic Mountains, Washington ; accidental in 
California. 

58 Ih. M. m. graminea {Towns.). Santa Barbara Song Sparrow. 
Similar to samuelis, but decidedly grayish above, the streaks both above 

1 Melospiza fasciaia pusilhda Ridgw . Salt Marsh Song Sparrow. 

Like M. m. samuelis, but smaller, especially wings and tail ; less rusty above, super- 
ciliary and under parts tinged with yellowish. 

Distnbution. — Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay. {The Auk, xvi. 35.) 

Melospiza melodia cleonensis McGregor. Mendocino Song Sparrow. 

Size of samuelis, but lighter and more rusty. 

Distribution. — Coast of Mendocino County, California. {Bull. Cooper Otm. Club, 
i. 87.) 

2 3felospiza fasciata ingersol M McGregor. Tehama Song Sparrow. 
Similar to morphna, but darker and without rusty wash. 

Distribution. — Northern Sacramento Valley, south in winter to San Francisco Bay. 
[Bull. Cooper Orn. Club, i. 3.5.) 

3 Melospiza cinerea phsea Fisher. Oregon Song Sparrow. 

Almost identical with rufina in color and markings, but between cleonensis and 
morphna in size. 

Distribution. — Immediate vicinity of coast from Rogue River to Yaquima, Oregon. 
{The Condor, iv. 36.) 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 359 

and below blackish and narrower, contrasting- more sharply with the 
ground color ; about the size of samuelis, but with shorter tail and larger 
feet. Young : like those of montana, with grayish instead of brownish 
ground color. Male: length (skins) 5.18-5.46, wing^ 2.29-2.41, tail 2.11- 
2.31, bill .47-.49. Female: length (skins) 5.30-5.48, wing 2.30-2.37, tail 
2.19-2.31, bill .46-47. 

Distribution. — Santa Barbara Islands, and, in winter, adjacent mainland 
of California. 

58 li. M. m. elementse (Towns.). San Clbmente Song Sparrow. 

Similar in color and markings to graminea, but much larg-er, the bill 
longer. Male: length (skins) 5.70-6.18, wing 2.45-2.60, tail 2.35-2.64, 
bill .47-.49. Female : length (skins) 5.44-5.81, wing 2.40-2.50, tail 2.39- 
2.50, bill .45-.50. 

Distribution. — San Clemente, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa Islands, Cali- 
fornia ; and Coronados Islands, Lower California. 

581k. M. m. merrilli (Brewst.). Merrill Song Sparrow. 

Similar to morphna, but with smaller bill and ground color of upper 
parts lighter and more ashy ; dark markings — especially on back — 
blacker and more sharply defined ; the white of under parts clearer and 
more extended. Male : length (skins) 5.65-6.40, wing 2.56-2.75, tail 2.51- 
2.83, bill .45-.51. Female : length (skins) 5.48-6.21, wing 2.50-2.68, tail 
2.40-2.76, bill .44-.50. 

Remarks. — Merrilli is like montana, but slightly darker and more uni- 
form above, the gray and brown of interscapulai's less strongly contrasted. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Fort Sherman, Idaho, south through Oregon 
and Washington east of Cascades to northern California ; migrates to 
Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and northern Sonora. 

583. Melospiza lincolnii {Aud.). Lincoln Sparrow. 

Adults. — Upper parts dark brown and olive, finely and sharply streaked 
with black ; crown with light median stripe ; malar 
region, chest, and sides bufPy ; sides and broad buffy 
chest band narrowly streaked with black. Young: 
colors more suffused and streaks less sharply de- Fig. 448. 

fined. Male : length (skins) 4.88-5.76, wing 2.26- 
2.62, tail 2.07-2.44, bill .41-.47. Female : length (skins) 4.54-5.43, wing, 
2.15-2.45, tail 2.01-2.34, bill .38-.46. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone of North America from Fort 
Yukon east to York Factory, Hudson Bay, and south to the higher parts 
of the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada ; winters from southern United 
States to Panama. 

Nest. — On the ground, made of grass. Eggs : as described by Davie, 
light greenish white, heavily marked, chiefly around larger end, with 
chestnut and lavender gray. 

Food. — Mainly insects and grass and weed seed. 

The Lincoln sparrow might be mistaken for a song sparrow but for 
his buffy chest band, finely penciled breast, and wholly individual, 
vibrant song. 

Willows in mountain meadows attract him, and when you sur- 
prise him on a willow stalk with his bill full of insects for his brood, 



360 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

he will cling there switching his tail and uttering his sharp call -note 
till you leave, 

583a. M. 1. striata Brewst. Fobbush Sparrow. 

Similar to lincolnii, but superciliary stripe and upper parts more strongly 
olivaceous, and dark streaks, especially on back and upper tail coverts, 
coarser, blacker, and more numerous. Wing : 2.35, tail 2.23. 

Distribution. — British Columbia and western Washington ; migrates to 
California. 

584. Melospiza georgiana {Lath.). Swamp Sparrow. 

Adults. — Crown chestnut, forehead black or broadly streaked with black 
and divided by a gray or buffy median line ; rest of upper parts rusty 
brown, back broadly streaked with black ; tail with middle feathers with 
narrow blackish median stripe ; under parts gray, darker on chest, but 
unstreaked or very indistinctly streaked ; sides and flanks brown. Young : 
upper parts heavily streaked and under parts streaked on chest and sides. 
3Iale: length (skins) 5.11-5.79, wing 2.30-2.58, tail 2.18-2.51, bill .43-.47. 
Female : length (skins) 4.80-5.54, wing 2.27-2.45, tail 2.06-2.41, bill .42-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Hudson Bay south to the northeastern 
United States ; west to the Plains ; winters from Massachusetts south to 
the Gulf states and to western Texas. 

Nest. — On low, wet, grassy land, made of grasses and lined with leaves 
and stems. Eggs : 4 or 5, pale bluish to greenish white, spotted with 
lilac and shades of yellowish and brown, most thickly about larger end. 

Food. — Mainly insects and seeds. 

GENUS PASSERELLA. 

General Characters. — Bill moderate or swollen, conical ; feet and claws 
large, side claws reaching much beyond end of middle toe ; tarsus about 
twice as long as bill, stout. 

KEY TO SPECIES- 

1. Back brown or marked with broAvn. 

2. Back streaked or spotted with brown. Winters from Atlantic to 

Rocky Mountains iliaca, p. 360. 

2'. Back plain brown. Alaska ; in winter to southern California. 

unalaschcensis,i p. 361. 
1'. Back gray. 

2. Smaller, with more slender bill. Rocky Mountain district. 

schistacea, p. 362. 
2'. Larger, with thicker bill. 

3. Depth of bill at base .49. Sierra Nevada and Coast Range, Cali- 
fornia megarhyncha, p. 362. 

3'. Depth of bill at base .56. San Bernardino Mountains, California. 

Stephens!, p. 363. 

585. Passer ella iliaca (Merr.). Fox Sparrow. 

Adults. — Upper parts mixed with strongly contrasting slate gray and 
reddish brown in varying proportions amounting to gray and brown 
phases ; brown brightest on wings, rump, and tail ; wings with two white 

1 Mr. Ridgway has restricted unalaschcensis to Alaska. See Birds of North and Mid- 
dle America, i. 389. 





FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 361 

bars ; under parts white, sides of throat and chest spotted and blotched 
with reddish brown ; flanks streaked with rufous. Young : 
similar, but colors diiller and markings less sharply de- 
fined. Male : length (skins) 5.94-6.80, wing 3.40-3.61, tail 
2.64-2.91, bill.. 42-..51. i^'ewa/e ; length (skins) 6.18-6.70, 
wing 3.30-3.46, tail 2.63-2.88, bill .42-.48. 

Distribution. — Northern North America, breeding from 
Magdalen Islands to Bering Sea ; south in winter to Florida, 
middle Texas, and eastern base of Rocky Mountains. 

Nest. — On ground or in bushes, made largely of moss pig* 449, yq^ 
and leaves. Eggs: 3 to 5, bluish green spotted with red- Sparrow. 
dish brown. 

Food. — Insects, a large proportion of ragweed and polygonum seed, and 
Avild fruit. 

585a. P. i. unalaschcensis [GmeL). Townsend Sparrow.^ 

Upper parts reddish brown, more or less mixed ivith slaty gray., becoming 
dark brown or foxy on rump, wings, and 
tail ; under parts white, thickly marked 
with triangular spots of dark brown converg- 
ing on breast. Male : length (skins) 6.50- 
6.70, wing 3.28-3.39, tail 2.88-2.98, bill .49- Fig. 450. 

.50. Female: length (skins) 6.20-6.68, wing 3.14-3.19. tail 2.71-2.80, bill 
.50-.52. 

Remarks. — The dark reddish brown upper parts, converging spots on 
the breast, and the long wings distinguish this subspecies. 

Distribution. — Breeds on Alaskan peninsula and islands, and migrates 
to southern California ; casually to Lower California. 

Nest. — Near the ground in dense thickets, made largely of moss and 
leaves. Fggs : 3 or 4, pale bluish green, or greenish gray, speckled and 
blotched with brown and lilac. 

The members of the genus Passerella are large, strongly marked 
sparrows, with loud, rather rich voices. As the size and strength of 
their feet show, they are diggers. A bird that I watched in Golden 

1 Mr. Ridgway has restricted unalaschcensis to Alaska and separated from it the form 
which comes to northern California as toivnsendi, adding several new subspecies which 
winter in California. 

Passerella iliaca insularis Ridgway. 

Like unalaschcensis, but back warm sepia brown, spots on chest large and deep brown, 
under tail coverts strongly tinged with buff. 

Distribution. — Kadiak Island (and Middleton Island ?), Alaska, in summer ; south to 
California in winter. {The Auk, xvii. 31.) 

Passerella iliaca annectens Ridgway. Yakutat Fox Spaejiow. 

Similar to insularis, but smaller, especially the bill, and coloration slightly browner. 

Distribution. — Coast of Alaska, from Cross Sound to Prince William Sound (to Cook 
Inlet ?), south in winter to California. {The Auk, xvii.' 30.) 

Passerella iliaca meruloides (Vigors). 

Like insularis, but bill smaller and coloration throughout darker. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Yakutat Bay district (?) and winters in Santa Cruz district. 
[The Condor, lY. '^b.) Perhaps a synonym of o?me(?^eH5. 

Passerella iliaca townsendi (Aud.). Townsend Sparbow. 

Like annectens, but darker, spots on chest larger. 

Distribution. — Coast of southern Alaska ; in winter to northern California. 

Passerella iliaca fidiginosa 'RidigwsLy. Sooty Fox Sparrow. 

Like townsendi, but darker and less rufescent, spots on under parts larger and more 
confluent than in other forms. 

Distribution. — Breeds in coast district of southwestern British Columbia and north- 
western Washington ; south in winter to coast of northern California. {The Auk, xvi. 36.) 



362 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

Gate Park, San Francisco, one day gave a good exhibition of their 
methods. He took a little run forward and then kicked back with 
both feet, and if there were any diminutive hillocks back of him, 
leveled them, sending a shower of sand up behind him. Sometimes 
he used his bill to push a bit of earth aside. After working in this 
way with artisan-like regularity for some time, he hopped up on a 
plant label and sat there with his long toes over the edge looking up 
with winning friendliness. 

The fox sparrows were to be found through the winter not only in 
Golden Gate Park, but also in the small parks and cemeteries of the 
city, with the white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows. But 
though with the others, Passerella was not of them, and while the 
crowned sparrows were in goodly flocks he shoveled alone or possi- 
bly with a few comrades. When chased by a white-crown he 
gathered his feathers trimly about him and ran meekly back into the 
bushes. He was evidently not as used to city life as they, for when 
he came out in view it was with his red tail perked up, his wings 
close at his sides, and a conscious air of appearing in public, and at 
the least alarm he would scud back to cover in nervous haste. 

When at home the thick-billed sparrows live in dense laurel or 
evergreen thickets. Major Bendire says, but the slate-colored prefers 
the more open country, living in rose and willow thickets along 
streams near foothills. 

In the Sierra Nevada one of the loudest and richest of the finch 
songs that brighten the Transition zone forest can be traced to the 
thick-billed, perched on top of a bush, his big bill and mixed reddish 
brown and gray plumage distinguishing him. His song is not of the 
high grade of the white-crown, but is particularly pleasing on ac- 
count of its loud, cheery quality. His call-note is a sharp chip. 

585b. P. i. megarhyncha {Baird). Thick-bill,ed Sparrow. 

Upper parts plain slaty or brownish gray, becoming rusty on wings, upper 

tail coverts, and tail ; under parts with chest spots smaller^ more scattered ; 

tail longer than wing, bill thick. Male : length (skins) 6.60- 

7.20, wing 3.12-3.42, tail 3.02-3.42, bill .48-.54, depth of bill 

at base .49-.52. Female : length (skins) 6.50-7.56, wing 2.97- 

i 3.37, tail 3.02-3.49, bill .45-.53, depth of bill at base .48-.50. 

Remarks. — The gray back and the thick bill distinguish 

Fig. 451. megarhyncha from unalaschcensis, and its larger size and thicker 

bill from schistacea ; while its smaller bill distinguishes it from stephensi. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in the Sierra Nevada, both 
slopes ; migrates to Los Angeles County, California. 

Nest. — In evergreens and thickets, usually on or near the ground, made 
of plant fibers and willow bark, lined with grasses and horsehair. Eggs : 
3 or 4, markings tending to run longitudinally. 

585c. P. i. schistacea (Baird). Slate-colored Sparrow. 

Like megarhyncha, but smaller body and bill. Male: length (skins) 






FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 363 

6.23-7.16, wing 3.08-3.48, tail 2.88-3.43, bUl .44-.50. Female: length 
(skins) 6.02-6.58, wing 3.02-3.21, bill 45-.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in the Rocky 
Mountain region of British Columbia and the United States ; 
from Colorado to California ; wanders in winter to Kansas, 
Arizona, Nevada, and California. 

Nest. — Usually less than 3 feet from the ground, bulky 
and well made of plant fibers, willow bark, and grass, lined 
with horsehair. Eggs : usually 4, green or olive bufP , marked with purple 
and browns. 

585d.. P. i. Stephens! Anthony. Stephens Sparkow. 

Like 7negarhyncha, but averaging larger, with much larger 
bill. Male: length (skins) 6.61-7.34, wing 3.30-3.37, tail 
3.17-3.58, bill .59-. 65. Female: length (skins) 6.61-6.92, 
wing 3.13-.3.30, tail 3.10-3.41, bill .52-.59. 

Distribution. — Mountains of southern California. 
Fig. 453. 

GENUS ARREMONOPS. 

586. Arremonops ruflvirgatus (Lawr.). Texas Sparrow. 

Tail shorter than wing ; wing short and much rounded. Adults: upper 
parts plain olive green, wings and tail brighter ; top of head with wide 
olive median stripe bordered by dark brown or blackish brown stripes ; 
superciliary grayish ; lores and stripe back of eye brown ; edge of wing 
bright yellow ; under parts dull whitish, chest, sides, and flanks tinged 
with pale buffy. Young : dull brownish ; head without distinct stripes ; 
wings and tail with greenish edgings ; belly buffy or fulvous. Male : length 
(skins) 5.30-6.00, wing 2.45-2.65, tail 2.45-2.75, bill .48-.55. Female : length 
(skins) 5.50-5.85, wing 2.32-2.45, tail 2.23-2.50, bill .47-.52. 

Distribution. — Valley of the Lower Rio Grande, in Texas, and eastern 
Mexico ; casually to Louisiana. 

Nest. — In open thickets, made of dried weed stems, bark, grasses, and 
leaves, sometimes lined with hair. Eggs : 4, dull white. 

GENUS PIPILO. 

General Characters. — Bill moderate ; wings short, g-reatly rounded ; 
primaries exceeding secondaries usually by much less than bill ; tail long, 
rounded ; feet large and strong, claws stout, and much curved. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES 

1. Upper parts light grayish brown. 

Fig. 454. 

2. Lores and chin blackish abei'ti, p. 368. 

2'. Lores and chin not blackish. 

3. Crown rufous, throat buffy mesoleucus, p. 366. 

3'. Crown not rufous, throat rufous. 

4. Smaller. Southern Calif ornia senicula, p. 36'] 
4'. Larger crissalis, p. 367. 




1' Upper parts black. 

Fig. 455. 





364 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

2. Scapulars and wing coverts almost always wholly black. Eastern. 

erythrophthalmus, p. 364. 
2'. Scapulars and wing- coverts marked with white. 

3. White markings inconspicuous oregonus, p. 365. 

3'. White marking's conspicuous. 

4. White on outer tail feathers covering more than exposed half 

(beyond coverts) arcticus, p. 364. 

4'. White on outer tail feathers not covering more than exposed half. 
5. White on outer tail feather covering more than an inch. 

6. Darker ; bill and feet relatively smaller. Rocky Mountains 

to Pacific megalonyx, p. 365. 

6'. Lighter colored ; bill and feet relatively larger. San Cle- 
mente Island, California .... clement ae, p. 366. 
5'. White on outer tail feather reduced to less than an inch. 

atratus, p. 366. 

587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (i^mn.). Towhee: Chewink. 

Adult male. — Black, except for white belly, brown sides, and white 
patch on primaries, white edgings to tertials, and white 
corners to tail ; iris bright red. Adult female : sim- 
ilar, but black replaced by brown. Young : similar 
to adults of same sexes, but streaked, and without 
dark chest patch. Male : length (skins) 7.36-8.10, 
wing 3.29-3.72, tail 3.48-3.91, bill .53-.58. Female: 
^ '"''W^, length (skins) 6.80-7.52, wing 3.00-3.30, tail 3.17- 

'^" 3.52, bill .51-.58 ; white on end of outer tail feather 

•Fig. 456. 1.30-1.60. 

Remarks. — The absence of white on the scapular and wing coverts dis- 
tinguishes the eastern towhee from the western forms. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southern Canada to the Lower Mississippi 
Valley, and from the Atlantic to the western parts of Dakota and Ne- 
braska ; M'inters from the middle districts southward. 

Nest. — On the ground or occasionally in low bushes, bulky, made of 
leaves, twigs, and vines, and lined with grass stems and rootlets, ^ggs : 
usually 4, white, pinkish white, or brownish, thickly speckled with reddish 
brown. 

Food. — Insects and seeds. 

588. Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swains.). Arctic Towhee. 
Adult male. — Head, neck, and chest black ; back black, more or less 

mixed with olive gray ; belly white ; 
flanks reddish brown ; wings and 
tail with extensive white markings ; 
wing bars and white edgings of 
primaries sometimes forming a con- 
spicuous patch, and scapulars heav- 
^' ■ ily streaked with white ; white on 

outer tail feather covering more than half exposed portion beyond coverts 
(1.30-1.70). Adult female : Black, replaced by dull olive brown; back 
streaked with black ; throat and chest grayish brown ; white markings 
obscured. Young : streaked with black over brownish ground above, bufFy 
below ; lighter in female ; markings of wings and tail as in adult, more or 
less restricted on wings. Male : length (skins) 6.90-8.34, wing 3.33-3.59, 
tail 3.58-4.10, bill .47-.55. Female : length (skins) 7.19-8.30, wing 3.10- 
3.58, tail 3.40-4.10, bill .48-.55. 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 365 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones on the 
Plains and eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains from the Saskatche- 
wan south to southern Colorado, and from the Missouri west to western 
Montana ; winters south to Texas and west to Washington ; casually to 
Iowa and Wisconsin. 

Nest. — On the ground, made at times of pine needles and lined with 




The towhees of the maculatus group are shy birds of the chap- 
arral, and when caught singing on top of a bush, where you can 
study the amount of white mixed with the black and brown of 
their plumage, they are liable to stop short in their song and pitch 
down to the ground with only an aggravating flash of the white 
tail corners. And though you wait patiently, all the reward you 
are likely to get is a nasal whank or a mewing tow-hee as they rattle 
the dead leaves, scratching for worms under the dense cover of 
brush. 

Both their call-notes and songs have a quaint twang that give 
them peculiar zest. One of the commonest songs in general time 
and emphasis may be given as yang' , kit-er-er. 

588a. P. m. megalonyx (Baird.). Spurred Towhee. 

Like arcticus, but with tail, tarsus, and hind claw longer, bill larger, 
and coloration darker ; upper parts 
black, except for grayish rump ; 
white markings much restricted, and 
rufous of sides deeper ; middle of 

back and tertials usually without Pig^ 455^ 

white ; white edgings of primaries 
not developed into a patch, and white space on outer tail feather not 
occupying more than half of space beyond coverts (1.10-1.35 long). Adult 
female : darker than female arcticus, streaks on back less conspicuous, 
white tail patch smaller. Young : similar to young of arcticus, but darker. 
Male : length (skins) 7.12-8.30, wing 3.29-3.65, tail 3.55-4.39, bill .48- 
.58. Female : length (skins) 7.12-8.09, wing 3.13-3.48, tail 3.42-4.16, bill 
.49-.59. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from the 
Rocky Mountains to California and from British Columbia south to Lower 
California and northern Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground or in a bush, made variously of inner bark, 
leaves, and small sticks, lined with grass. JEggs : 4 or 5, pale greenish or 
bluish, finely specked with brown and lavender, massed around larger end. 

588b. p. m. oregonus (Bell). Oregon Towhee. 

Adult male. — Upper parts mainly black, white markings inconspicuous ; 
streaks on back mainly obsolete or 
concealed ; wing bars reduced to 
disconnected round white spots, 
white of outer tail feather reduced 
to ' thumb mark,' less than an inch 
in length, outer web mainly black ; *^* 

rufous of sides very dark. Adult female : black replaced by dark sooty 




366 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

brown or sooty black, indistinctly streaked with black ; rufous of sides 
deep. Young : Darker and more uniform than young megalonyx ; throat 
and chest sooty, not streaked. Male ; length (skins) 7.08-8.18, wing- 3.22- 
3.47, tail 3.42-3.87, bill ..54-.59. Female : length (skins) 6.95-8.00, wing 
3.03-3.38, tail 3.31-3.85, bill .52-.58. 

Remarks. — In the Oregon towhee the general size and hind claw are 
much smaller than in the spurred, while the absence of white markings 
makes a good field character. 

Distribution. — Breeds in humid Transition zone from British Columbia 
to San Francisco ; winters south to southern California, 

588c. P. m. clementse [Grinn.). San Clemente Towhee. 

Adult male. — Like megalonyx, but bill and feet relatively larger and 
coloration grayer ; upper parts sooty, washed with olive gray ; rump 
lighter, upper tail coverts finely barred with dusky. Adult female : head 
and neck dull dark brown ; wings and tail darker ; rump gray, feathers 
with dark centers and light edgings. Male: length (skins) 7.44-8.10, 
wing 3.14-3..56, tail 3.48-4.06, bill .55-.60. Female: length (skins) 7.02- 
8.30, wing 3.06-3.24, tail 3.45-3.76, bill .54-.58. 

Distribution. — San Clemente Island, southern California. 

588d. P. m. atratus Bidgw. San Diego Towhee. 

Adult male. — Deep glossy black ; wings and scapulars heavily marked 
with white ; outer tail feathers with white thumb marks. Adult female : 
upper parts clove brown ; throat and chest clove brown or sooty black. 

Remarks. — The San Diego towhee is like the spurred, but decidedly 
darker, and with white markings more restricted. 

Distribution. — From coast district of southern California south to Lower 
California. 

591. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus (Baird). Canyon Towhee. 

Adults. — Top of head light rufous ; rest of upper parts and sides plain 
dull grayish brown ; throat buffy, finely spotted, obsolete chest patch 
formed by large spots; middle of belly whitish, hinder part of belly, 
flanks, and lower tail coverts yellowish brown. Young : upper parts dull 
grayish brown, indistinctly streaked with darker; wing coverts largely 
edged and tipped with pale rufous ; lower parts dull white, changing to 
brownish on under tail coverts, largely streaked with dusky. Male : length 
(skins) 7.64-8.77, wing 3.49-3.94, tail 3.77-4.23, bUl .56-.66. Female: 
length (skins) 7.7-5-8.72, wing 3.39-3.92, tail 3.71-4.31, bill .57-.64. 

Distribution. — Upper and Lower Sonoran zone from western Texas to 
Arizona, and from eastern Colorado south to Sonora and Chihuahua. 

Nest. — In mesquite trees rarely over 8 feet from the ground, sometimes 
in thick bunches of choUa cactus and between the leaves of yuccas, deep, 
bulky, and loosely made of coarse grasses lined with rootlets and horsehair. 
Fggs : usually 3, bluish white or pearl gray, spotted and scrawled with 
brown and sometimes black, and with purple shell markings. 

The fuscus group of towhees, while chaparral birds of the same 
general habits as the maculatus group, seem more like big fluffy 
brown sparrows than chewinks. 

The canyon towhee, when sitting on a bush, shows his rufous 
under tail coverts and raises his crown so that the color shows there. 
He has a loud metallic chip, a call of four loud repetitions of the 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 367 

same note, and in flight the robin-like screep' -eep-eep of his group. 
In the mountains, the canyon towhees are found among rocks and 
along ledges of canyons. At Mineral Park, Arizona, Mr. Bailey 
found them abundant in February. They were noisy and so tame 
that they would come into camp to feed on scattered crumbs and 
grain. In New Mexico outside of the mountains, Mr. Batchelder 
found them about Mexican villages and irrigated fields. 

691b. p. f. crissalis {Vig.). California Towhee. 

Adults. — Entire upper parts plain dull grayish brown, slightly deeper on 
head ; throat light rufous, usually marked with dusky ; 
middle of belly whitish or dull buffy, sides grayish 
brown ; under tail coverts reddish brown. Young : like 
adults, but browner, wing- bars and edgings pale brown- 
ish ; under parts dull buffy, deepening to tawny on 
throat and belly, and grayish brown along sides ; ante- 
rior lower parts streaked. Male : length (skins) 8.3.5- 
9.50, wing 8.75-4.08, taU 4.22-4.55, bill .56-.65. Female : ^ig. 460. 

length (skins) 8.24-8.60, wing 3.57-3.88, tail 4.14-4.38, bill .56-63. 

Remarks. — Crissalis is like mesoleucus, but larger and darker. 

Distribution. — Cahfornia, west of Sierra Nevada, north to Mendocino 
and Shasta counties, south to Santa Barbara and Kern counties, and north- 
ern part of San Bernardino County. 

Nest. — In bushes or trees, usually 2 to 6 feet from the ground, made of 
inner bark, twigs, and weed stems, lined with plant stems and sometimes 
horsehair and wool. Eggs : 4 or 5, pale blue, spotted with purphsh brown. 

The California members of the fuscus group have a thin chip 
which gives them the name of brown chippies, the robin-like call of 
mesoleucus, and a song which, though a trifle squeaky for such a 
large bird when heard too close at hand, has a quiet, contented qual- 
ity that matches the bird's disposition and is very pleasing. When 
given in concert in the canyons at dusk the song is said to be 
most effective. Though shy and wary about his nesting grounds, 
when his family cares are over the brown chippie comes to the door- 
yard and stays there more familiarly than the Brewer blackbird. 
Although he also makes himself at home on city lawns and in parks, 
he is especially fond of barnyards and hay lofts, where he can 
scratch in the straw and pick up seeds to his heart's content. When 
he flies his short wings and long tail give him a bobbing, awkward 
motion, but when sitting about the dooryard his plump, fluffy figure 
affords him a most comfortable domestic look. 

591c. P. f. senicula Anthony. San Fernando Towhee: Anthony 
Towhee. 

Like crissalis, but smaller, upper parts darker, and lower parts grayer. 
Male : length (skins) 8.05-8.12, wing 3.48-3.97, tail 3.95-4.42, bill .56-.62. 
Female .; Wing 3.38-3.56, tail 3.93-4.02, bill .57-.60. 

Distribution. — From southern California south to Lower California. 



368 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

592. Pipilo aberti Baird. Abert Towhbe. 

Adults. — Lores and chin blackish ; upper parts plain grayish brown, 
darkest on head ; quills edged with grayish ; lower parts pinkish brown, 
lighter on belly, and deepening to tawny on under tail coverts. Young : 
paler and duller, breast indistinctly streaked, . Male : length (skins) 8.22- 
9.14, wing 3.54-3.81, tail 4.17-4.72, bill .59-.64. Female: length (skins) 
7.97-8.68, wing 3.36-3.62, tail 3.97-4.31, bill .59-.62. 

Distribution. — Breeds in upper and lower Sonoran zones from Colorado 
to southeastern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. 

Nest. — Rarely more than 5 feet from the ground, in willow thickets, 
canebrake, low bushes, or mesquite ; bulky, loosely made of weed stalks, 
inner bark, grass, and sticks, sometimes lined with inner bark or horse- 
hair. Eggs: 2 to 4, pale blue, sparsely marked with dark brown and 
black. 

The cinnamon colored aberti is the largest of the plain towhees. 
It is said to be extremely shy. Major Bendire gives its alarm note 
as huit huit. At Phcenix it is common among the mesquites and cot- 
tonwoods. 

GENUS OREOSPIZA. 

592.1. Oreospiza chlorura (Aud.). Green-tailed Towhee. 
Bill small, conical ; wing rather long and pointed ; tail long, rounded ; 
tarsus long, nearly a third the length of wing ; hind claw 
longer than its toe. (Structurally intermediate between 
Zonotrichia and Pipilo.) Adult male: top of head bright 
rufous ; throat white ; upper parts olive gray, becoming 
bright olive green on wings and tail ; malar stripe and 
middle of belly white ; edge of wing, under wing coverts, 
and axillars bright yellow. Adult female : usually slightly 
duller. Young : olive grayish, streaked with dusky ; 
lower parts dingy white, chest and sides streaked with dusky ; wings and 
tail like adults, but wing bars brownish huffy. Male : length (skins) 6.21- 
7.05, wing 3.01-3.28, tail 3.14-3.43, bill .48-.51. Female: length (skins) 
6.52-7.10, wing 2.80-3.10, tail 2.93-3.33, bill .45^.51. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone in the interior plateau region 
from the western edge of the Plains to Coast Range in California, and north 
to Montana ; migrates to southern Lower California and central Mexico. 

Nest. — On or near the ground in sagebrush, chaparral, or cactus, made 
of grass and stems lined sometimes with horsehair. Eggs : 4, whitish, 
speckled, or sprinkled with reddish brown. 

The name Oreospiza calls to mind one of the most attractive and 
gentle of birds, with the memory of warm days when the smell of 
the aromatic mint and Ceanothus filled the air. The green-tail fol- 
lows the Transition zone chaparral from the zonal level, where a 
dense brush thicket covers wide areas, and where he is one of a 
number of brush birds, up to the extreme limit of the chaparral, where 
there are only scattered patches of dwarf brush on high rock slides, 
and where he is the one brush bird, conspicuous among the boreal 
solitaires and nutcrackers. 

His mewing call-note, a soft mew, mew-ah-eep, seems his most 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 369 

chewink-like character and proclaims his presence, as does his song 
when the ear has caught the difference between it and that of the 
Passerella. Though phrased somewhat like the song of the maculatus 
group, it is wholly different in quality and rendering, being more 
of the bright finch type with the Ghondestes-Y[k.Q burr heard in so 
many finch songs, and its two emphasized notes standing out in a 
medley of short notes. 

His familiar voice is often heard from a wall of chaparral, but 
he may generally be found perched on top of a bush, and at sight of 
you will raise his rufous cap inquiringly, turning to look down so 
that his white chin shows to good advantage. When seen hopping 
over the ground he is as trim and alert as a song sparrow, looking 
about and flashing his green tail till he disappears to scratch in the 
brush. When surprised on the ground he will often run rather than 
take wing. One that Mr. Bailey found on its nest at 7900 feet on 
Donner Peak, California, ran silently for five or six rods through the 
brush, and then stopped, to tempt him away from its brood. 

GENUS CARDINALIS. 

General Characters. — Head with conspicuous crest ; bill stout, conical, 
much deeper than broad at base-; wing- short, much rounded, primaries 
exceeding secondaries by less than length of exposed culmen ; tail longer 
than wing. 

KEY TO ADULT aiALES. 

1. Feathers all around base of bill black. 

2. Black frontlet wider. Eastern United States . cardinalis, p. 369. 

2'. Black frontlet narrower. Texas to Mexico . canicaudus, p. 370. 

1'. Feathers around base of bill not black across forehead. Arizona to 

Mexico superbus, p. 370. 

593. CardinaHs cardinalis {Linn.). Cardinal. 

Adult male. — Crest, head, and lower parts bright red., feathers around 
base of hill black ; back dull red, feathers tipped with olive gray, wearing 
away in midsummer. Adult female : wings and tail dull 
red ; crest partly red ; upper parts olive grayish ; under 
parts grayish buffy ; chest often tinged with red ; feathers 
around base of bill and upper parts of throat dull grayish ; 
under wing coverts pinkish red. Young : like adult female, 
but duller, the bill blackish. Male : length (skins) 7.40- 
8.40, wing 3.60-3.93, tail 3.78-4.35, biU .71-.80. Female : 
length (skms) 7.40-8.15, wing 3.48-3.78, tail 3.70-4.22, bill ^. ^^ 
.65-.80. ^'^- *^2- 

Distribution. — Resident in eastern United States from the Gulf north 
regularly to about latitude 41° ; casually northward to Ontario ; west to 
edge of great Plains, rarely in western Kansas and Colorado. 

Nest. — A rather frail structure of sticks or fine rootlets, leaves, grasses, 
or strips of bark, sometimes covered with gray moss ; placed in bushes, 
brambles, grapevines, or low trees. Eggs : 2 to 4, white, irregularly spotted 
with purple and reddish brown. 

Food, — Insects, berries, seeds, and grain. 




370 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

The cardinals are the most striking of chaparral birds where they 
occur. Seen against a background of dingy brush their red plumage 
fairly glows in the sun till you are led to marvel at its brilliancy. 

Then how their loud whistle pierces the air ! How exquisitely 
rounded comes their cue-mie, and with what force follows the rapid 
hip' -ip-ip-ip-ip-ip-ip. 

593a. C. c. superbus Bidgw. Arizona Cardinal. 

Adult male. — Top of head and long crest brilliant red ; lores and 
chin black, black of lores not connected across forehead unless by narrow 
black line ; rest of under parts brilliant red ; back dull red washed with 
gray ; wings and tail dark red ; bill very heavy. Adult female : crest, wings, 
and tail partly red ; under parts dark buffy, chest tinged with red ; lores 
and chin gray ; forehead dull yellowish mixed with red ; back dull gray ; 
under wing coverts bright rose. Young : similar to adult female, but colors 
duller ; bill blackish. Male : length (skins) 8.40-9.00, wing 3.92-4.11, tail 
4.67-5.00, bill .80-.89. Female: length (skins) 7.85-8.30, wing 3.79-4.00, 
tail 4.48-4.75, bill .82. 

Hemarlcs. — Superbus differs from cardinalis in larger size, relatively 
shorter bill, pale red of male, and broken ring around bill. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona south to Sonora, Mexico. 

The Arizona, like the eastern cardinals, are birds of the thickets 
and brush patches, making themselves known by brilliant flashes of 
color and their rollicking, spirited song. At Phoenix they build in 
the thickets just out of town, and, though shy birds, seem not to 
object to civilization. Vernon Bailey. 

593c. C. c. canicaudus Chapm. Gray-tailed Cardinal. 

Male similar 'to cardinalis, but with less conspicuous black frontlet; 
female averaging grayer than female of cardinalis, and with the tail feath- 
ers broadly margined with gray instead of olive brown. Male: length 
(skins) 7.60-8.60, wing 3.48-3.80, tail 3.85-4.38, bill .71-.82. Female: 
length (skins) 7.00-8.20, wing 3.22-3.67, tail 3.58-4.12, bill .70-.80. 

Distribution. — From Texas south to Central Mexico. 

GENUS PYRKHULOXIA. 

General Characters. — Head with conspicuous crest ; bill very short, 
thick, and deep, culmen convex; wing short, much rounded; tail long, 
rounded. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Ring around bill conspicuously marked with black . texana, p. 371. 
1'. Ring around bill rose red sinuata, p. 370. 

594. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata Bonap. Arizona Pyrrhuloxia. 

Bill short and parrot-like, yellow or orange in summer, duller in winter. 
Adult male : ring around bill, throat, breast patch, thighs, and under side 
of wing light rose red ; lateral under parts light gray ; tip of crest darker 
red ; ring around bill with only faint trace of black ; upper parts light gray 
tinged with brown ; wings and tail blackish and dark red. Adult female : 
like male, but red of face and under parts wanting or only suggested ; 
under parts buffy brown. Young male: like adult female, but paler, 



i 




TEXAS PYRRHULOXJA 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 371 

buffy below and on wing bands ; median under parts and face more or less 
tinged with red. Young female : like young male, but without red. Male : 
length (skins) 7.45-8.41, wing 3.52-3.88, tail 3.72-4.25. bill .59-.63. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 6.90-7.94, wing 3.46-3.67, tail 3.69-3.82, bill .58-.62. 

Distribution. — Lower Sonoran zone from southern Arizona to western 
Texas and northwestern Mexico. 

Nest and eggs similar to those of the cardinals, but eggs averaging 
smaller. 

Though not so brilliant as the Cardinalis group, the Pyrrhuloxias 
when among their native mesquites seem even more beautiful. The 
rose-colored vest that lights up their soft gray plumage gives an 
exquisite delicacy and freshness that adds charm to their individual- 
ity and sprightliness. Their expression changes astonishingly with 
the movement of their crest. When it is flattened the short curved 
bill and round head suggest a bored parrot in a cage, but when the 
crest is raised to its full height and thrown forward, the beautiful 
bird is the picture of alert interest and vivacity. 

The call-note of the Pyrrhuloxias, instead of a single chip, is made 
up of several flat, thin notes. Their whistle, though of similar char- 
acter to the cardinals', instead of being a scooped cue note is a clear 
straight whistle. 

A pair whose nest we stumbled on in the mesquite showed their 
mutual solicitude in such a charming manner, the male bursting into 
song to draw our attention from his mate and nest, that it seemed as 
if rare pleasure lay in store for the bird student with leisure to study 
their attractive ways. 

594a. P. s. texana Bidgw. Texas Pyrrhuloxia. 

Adult male. — Similar to sinuata, but bill much heavier and coloration 
darker; ring round bill conspicuously marked with black; upper parts dark 
gray. Adult female : similar to female sinuata, but under parts grayish on 
front and sides. Male: length (skins) 7.54-8.10, wing 3.48-3.88, tail 3.68- 
4.21, bill .60-.67. Female : length (skins) 7.10-8.10, wing 3.39-3.79, tail 
3.30^4.26, bill .60-.65. 

Distribution- — Lower Sonoran zone in northeastern Mexico and southern 
Texas, north to Nueces, Bee, Bexar, Kendall, and Tom Green counties. 

Nest. — In mesqiiite and other thorny bushes, small and compact, made 
of inner bark, grasses, and twigs, lined with a few rootlets. Eggs : 3, spotted 
with brown and lavender massed at the larger end. 

GENUS ZAMELODIA. 

General Characters. — Bill heavy, short, conical, much deeper than broad 
at base ; nostrils exposed ; wing pointed ; tail even or slightly rounded ; 
tarsus about as long as middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts brown and yellow melanocephala, p. 372. 

1'. Under, parts white and rose pink ludoviciana, p. 372. 



372 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 463. 



595. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.). Rose-breasted Gros- 

beak. 
Adult male in breeding plumage. — Head and upper parts black, except 
for white rump and white markings on wing-s and tail ; under parts white, 

except for rose red patches on 
breast and under wings. Adult 
female : dusky brown, streaked ; 
head with whitish median stripe 
and superciliary ; under parts 
grayish or buff y brown, streaked 
on breast and sides ; under wing 
coverts yellow. Adult male in 
winter plumage : wings, tail, and 
upper tail coverts as in sum- 
mer ; upper parts reddish brown ; 
head with buffy median crown 
stripe, superciliary, and malar 
stripes ; back streaked with 
black ; under parts brownish, 
more or less streaked, and with 
pale rose on breast and under 
wings. Young male in first winter: 
like adult winter male, but wings, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail brown- 
ish, tail without white ; wings with white markings reduced and tinged with 
brown ; chest, sides, and flanks deeper brown and more heavily streaked ; 
chest with little if any pink ; under wing coverts rose pink as in adult. 
Male: length (skins) 6.50-7.20, wing 3.85-4.10, tail 2.87-3.08, bill .59-69. 
Female: length (skins) 6.75-7.00, wing 3.75-3.98, tail 2.75-2.95, bill .61-.70. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
Canada south to Kansas, and from the Atlantic to Colorado ; winters in Cuba, 
Central America, and northern South America ; accidental in California. 

Nest. — In bushes or low trees, saucer-shaped, made largely of wiry 
rootlets. Eggs : 2 to 4, bluish or greenish spotted with brown. 

Food. — Potato bugs and other insects, with seeds, and buds and blossoms 
of forest trees. 

While the female rose-breasted grosbeak is brown and streaked 
like the female black-head ed, the male is a rare beauty, the clear 
black, white, and rose of his plumage being handsomer than the 
black and brown of melanocephala. His song lacks the exquisite 
finish of the westerner's, but is loud and musical and sung with a 
joyous swing. His {hmeek, like that of the black-headed, announces 
him, whether he be in an apple-tree or hidden in a thicket by a river. 

596. Zamelodia melanocephala (Swains.). Black-headed 

Grosbeak. 

Adult male. — Under parts cinnamon brown brightening 
to lemon yellow on belly and under wing coverts : upper 
parts mainly black, with cinnamon brown collar and 
rump, and sometimes brown stripes back of eye, through 
middle of crown, and on back; wings and tail black, 
wings with two white bars and white patch at base of 
quills, tail with white corners. Winter male: lighter 




Fig. 464. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 373 

brown on upper parts. Adult female : upper parts blackish brown, 
streaked with pale brownish or buffy ; collar buffy white ; wing- bar white ; 
under, parts dull buffy, yellowish on belly, flanks, and sometimes breast ; 
sides streaked ; under wing- coverts lemon yellow. Winter female : with 
buffy or brown stronger ; lateral crown stripe streaked with black. Young : 
much like adult female, but under parts paler, without yellow on belly ; 
back spotted ; crown stripes uniform blackish brown. Male : length 
(skins) (J.60-7.70, wing 3.72-4..30, tail 2.79-3.38, bill .60-.80. Female: 
length (skins) 6.15-7.80, wing 3.72-4. r2, tail 2.70-3.40, bill .61-.78. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of the 
western United States, from eastern Nebraska to California, and from 
British Columbia to northern Lower California and southern ' part of 
Mexican plateau. 

Nest. — Usually in chaparral, made loosely of sticks and weeds. Eggs : 
3 or 4, pale bluish white, thickly spotted with brown. 

Food. — Similar to that of the rose-breasted grosbeak. 

When you hear the call-note of the black-headed grosbeak for the 
first time, you naturally hunt through the greenery for a small 
bird, for the note is a peculiarly insignificant eek, and when you dis- 
cover the goodly sized bird with strongly marked black and golden 
brown coat and great bill, his small voice seems much out of char- 
acter. You marvel at it still more when you hear his wonderful 
song. At its best, given from a poplar or live-oak top in the leisure 
of a sunny afternoon, it is one of the most varied, exquisitely finished, 
and musical of bird songs. It has the swinging rhythm and clear- 
ness characteristic of grosbeak songs, but is smooth and rounded, 
and its highest notes are dwelt on and trolled over with rare tender- 
ness, repeated not as a thrasher's notes are repeated, but with the 
enjoyment of an artist consciously perfecting his work. In Arizona 
Mr. Henshaw has heard the birds give sunset concerts from the tops 
of the tallest pines. 

The nature of the grosbeak is not belied by his song, for like 
others of the family he has a gentle spirit. His devotion to the nest 
is shown by his habit of brooding in the absence of his mate. 

GENUS GUIRACA. 

597a. Guiraca CSerulea lazula {Less.). Western Blue Gros- 
beak. 

Bill large, conical, compressed ; nostrils exposed ; wing longer than tail ; 
tarsus about as long as middle toe with claw. Adult male in summer : 
plain bright blue ; wing with two brownish bands, that across tips of 
greater coverts usually .S0-.30 wide, and decidedly paler than the anterior 
band; under tail coverts with white borders. Adult male in winter: blue 
of body more or less obscured by brownish or buffy tips to feathers. Fe- 
male and young : grayish brown, usually more or less tinged with blue. 
Immature males : plumage of adult male and female mixed in various pro- 
portions, according to age. Male : length (skins) 5.90-7.00, wing 3.40- 
3.80, tail 2.62-3.10, bill .55-.70. Female: length (skins) 5.60-6.50, wing 
3.02-3.48, tail 2.41-2.80, bill .55-.68. 



374 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from eastern 
Texas to southern California ; north to northern Colorado and central 
valleys of California to about 40° ; migrates to southern Mexico and south 
to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — A compact, cup-shaped structure, composed largely of dried 
grasses and plant libers, placed in bushes and tall weeds. Eggs : 3 or 4, 
plain pale greenish blue or bluish white. 

Food. — Insects, seeds, buds, and berries. 

The blue grosbeak is less arboreal than its relatives, being found 
mainly in brush, often along streams in foothill canyons. Its song, 
Mr, Henshaw says, while suggesting the songs of other grosbeaks and 
possessing much sweetness, "lacks the full rich mellowness of tone 
and variety of modulation " of its relatives. 

GENUS CYANOSPIZA. 

General Characters. — Bill small, under mandible eonspicu- 
O ously deeper than upper ; wing pointed ; tarsus about equal to 
i middle toe with claw ; side claws not reaching to base of mid- 
^ die claw. 
Fig. 465. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts partly or wholly red. 

2. Back yellowish green ciris, p. 376. 

2'. Back purplish red versicolor, p. 375. 

1'. Under parts not red. 

2. Upper parts hght blue amcena, p. 375. 

2'. Upper parts dark purplish or greenish blue . . . cyanea, p. 374. 

598. Cyanospiza cyanea (-Linn.). Indigo Bunting. 

Adult male. — Head, throat, and sometimes median under parts purplish 
blue ; rest of body cerulean blue changing to bluish green in some lights ; 
lores, wings, and tail black or dusky, tinged with blue. Adult female : 
upper parts olive brown ; wings and tail faintly tinged with blue ; under 
parts dull whitish washed with huffy, faintly streaked on chest. Imma- 
ture males : variously intermediate in coloration between fully adult males 
and females. Young : similar to adult female, but browner, obsoletely 
streaked. Male: length (skins) 4.59-5.21, wing 2.58-2.81, tail 1.91-2.13, 
bill .40-.44. Female : length (skins) 4.46-5.23, wing 2.47-2.62, tail 1.86- 
1.92, bill .39-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds chiefly in Upper Sonoran and Transition zones ot 
the northeastern United States, but extends west to Colorado, and from 
southern Canada to the Gulf ; migrates to Central America. 

Nest. — In low bushes, made of leaves, plant fibers, and grasses, lined 
with grass stems and horsehair. Fggs : usually 4, white, with faint bluish 
tinge. 

Food. — Largely insects and seeds. 

The indigo bunting, the eastern representative of the genus, has 
been found in Colorado and western Texas, but comes west regu- 
larly only as far as eastern Kansas. In habits it is the counterpart 
of the lazuli bunting. 



FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 376 

599. Cyanospiza amOBna (Say). Lazuli Bunting. 

Adult male. — Upper parts bright turquoise blue, changing- to greenish 
blue, darker and duller on middle of back ; wings with two white bars ; 
breast and sometimes sides brownish; belly white. Adult female: upper 
parts grayish brown, tinged with blue on rump ; back sometimes streaked ; 
wing bars dingy ; anterior lower parts pale buffy, deeper on chest, fading 
to white on belly and lower tail coverts. Young : like female, but with- 
out blue tinge on rump, and chest and sides usually streaked. Male : 
length (skins) .5.01-5.54, wing 2.78-3.C1, tail 2.07-2.27, bill .39-.41. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 4.91-5.38, wing 2.59-2.83, tail 2.00-2.31, bill .36-41. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of the 
western^ United States from Kansas to California ; and from British 
Columbia to Arizona and Texas; migrates to Lower California and the 
Valley of Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually near water in weeds, willows, manzanitas, and other 
bushes. Eggs : 3 or 4, plain bluish white, or pale greenish blue. 

The natural home of the blue-coated, brown-breasted lazuli is in 
the chaparral of warm valleys like those of southern California or in 
village shrubbery in climates like that of the Salt Lake plain, but like 
the green-tailed towhee it follows the chaparral to the higher levels, 
and though nominally a Transition and Upper Sonoran zone bird, is 
sometimes found in willows of the Canadian zone. In the Sierra 
above Donner the middle of July we found it as high as 7900 feet, 
singing gayly in a patch of willows in a tiny mountain meadow 
surrounded by firs and overhung by snowbanks ; and one of the 
hardy little fellows has even been reported from Fremont Pass. 

The song of the lazuli is of the bright, musical finch type, and like 
that of Oreospiza and CJwndestes has a marked burr. The call-note 
is an emphatic quit' or sometimes chack. 

Though less demonstrative than the house finch, the lazuli some- 
times spreads his blue feathers before his mate in pretty gallantry ; 
and as a parent, though not boldly aggressive, he is watchful and 
devoted, singing on his way to the nest even with a bill full of 
insects. 

600. Cyanospiza versicolor (Bonap.). Varied Bunting. 

Upper mandible curved. Adult male in summer: forehead and rump 
bright bluish purple, or purplish blue ; back of neck bright red, changing 
to purplish red on middle of back ; under parts plum red fading to plum 
purple on belly. Adult female in summer : upper parts brownish, tinged 
with olive and sometimes with bluish, becoming dull bluish on rump ; 
wings and tail with gray or blue edgings ; under parts dull whitish and 
brown. Adult male in winter : color of crown, back, and scapulars partly 
obscured by grayish brown tips to feathers ; under parts with buffy tips. 
Adult female in winter : browner. Young : brown ; wing with buffy 
bands ; under parts whitish medially, brown on chest and sides. Male : 
length (skins) 4.55-5.46, wing 2.49-2.80, tail 1.97-2.26, bUl .37-.44. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 4.44-5.38, wing 2.39-2.55, tail 1.93-2.10, bill .37-.41. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona and the valley of the Lower 
Rio Grande in Texas south to Lower California and Guatemala. 



376 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

601. Cyanospiza ciris {Linn.). Painted Bunting: Nonpareil. 
Adult male. — Entire under parts bright red ; head and back of neck pur- 
plish blue, in sharp contrast to yellowish g-reen of back and scapulars ; rump 
and tail dull red ; wings green and reddish. Adult female : upper parts, 
including tail, plain olive green ; under parts dull greenish yellow, brighter 
on belly. Young : grayish brown, tinged in places with greenish ; wings 
with buffy bands ; under parts dull buflFy. Male : length (skins) 5.00- 
5.60, wing 2.72-2.91, tail 2.06-2.24, bill .40-.44. Female: length (skins) 
4.70-5.47, wing 2.51-2.80, tail 1.90-2.18, bill .40-.42. 

Remarks. — Individuals are sometimes found having yellow feathers. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the south Atlantic and Gulf States west to 
southern Arizona and north to southern Kansas ; winters south to Panama. 

Nest. — In hackberry, cat-claw, or chaparral, made of grasses and 
sometimes leaves, lined with finer grasses and hairs. Eggs : 4 or 5, creamy 
to bluish white, spotted with purple and reddish brown. 

When we were working on the Pecos River, in southern New 
Mexico, the loud bright song of the nonpareil was heard at camp all 
through the middle of the hottest days, and from the mesa we could 
look down on the chaparral by the river and see sometimes the red 
breast and sometimes the green sheen on the back of the cheery song- 
ster. His song, though short, has a clear, carrying quality, and is 
very pleasing. 

On the mesquite prairie of southern Texas the nonpareils were 
common, and we often heard their song and caught glimpses of 
them as we drove along. 

The courtship of the male is said to be very entertaining. To 
attract the attention of the female he hops to the ground, spreads 
his wings and tail, and struts around with all his colors flying. It is 
said that he takes little part in domestic matters, but this may be 
due to his dangerously striking plumage. 

GENUS SPOKOPHILA. 

602. Sporophila morelleti sharpei Lawr. Sharpe Seed- 

EATER.l 

Bill short and greatly swollen ; upper mandible convex above, concave 
below ; wings short and rounded ; tail shorter than wings, slightly rounded ; 
tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. Adidt male : upper parts and chest 
band black ; sides of neck, under parts and markings on wings, and rump 
white. Adult female : upper parts olive brown with two buffy wing 
bands ; under parts buffy brown. Ivwiature males : intermediate between 
adult male and female. Immature females : lighter, tinged with olive. 
Male : length (skins) 3.68-4.42, wing 1.88-2.15, tail 1.58-1.86, bill .32- 
.36. Female : length (skins) 3.72-4.28, wing 1.89-2.02, tail 1.52-1.78, bill 
.32-.35. 

Distribution. — Southeastern Texas and adjacent parts of Mexico. 

At Lomita, Mr. Sennett found the little seed-eater frequenting 
low bushes and weeds. 

1 Mr. Ridgway recognizes only one form of Sporophila morelleti, {Birds of North 
and Middle America, 575.) 




LARK BUNTING 




FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 377 

GENUS SPIZA. 

604. Spiza americana (Gmel.). Dickcissel. 

Bill stout, conical, compressed ; wing- long- and pointed ; tarsus long-er 
than middle toe with claw. Adult male : under parts whit- 
ish, with variable black throat patch and yellow breast, 
yellow sometimes deepening- to salmon in the breeding- 
season ; wing-^ with deep rufous patch ; forehead, lores, 
superciliary, and malar stripe washed with yellow ; head 
and neck gray, top of head usually olivaceous ; back 
brownish, streaked with black. Adult female : similar, 
but duller, yellow more restricted, often wanting, except ^' 

on breast ; throat white, bordered by dusky streaks ; the black of the 
male usually wanting-. Young in Jirst winter: like adult female, but 
everywhere tinged with dull buffy or clay color. Male : length (skins) 
5.55-6.31, wing 3.11-3.38, tail 2.17-2.42, bill .58-.61. Female : length 
(skins) 5.50-5.74, wing 2.94-3.05, tail 1.97-2.17, bill .50-.56. 

Distribution. — Breeds chiefly in Upper Sonoran zone of the central 
eastern United States from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains, 
Colorado, and Wyoming ; and from Ontario south to Texas ; casually 
southwest to Arizona and Lower California ; migrates to northern South 
America. 

Nest. — Largely of dried grasses, built near the ground in bushes or 
low weeds, on meadows or prairies. Eggs : 3 to 5, plain pale blue. 

Food. — Largely grasshoppers and crickets ; also grain and weed seed. 

When in southern Texas during the spring migration we met with 
flocks of dickclssels on their way to the north. In places on the 
open prairie two or three hundred would be sitting in rows on the 
wire fences like swallows on telegraph wires. They could be re- 
cognized at a distance by their outlines — round heads and straight 
hanging tails. When not in compact flocks they were scattered 
through the chapparal singing on the tops of the bushes. Their song 
had a mouthed, furry quality, but was none the less sunny and enjoy- 
able. When they are on their breeding grounds their song is one of 
the pleasantest features of the big grain fields. 

GENUS CALAMOSPIZA. 

605. Calamospizamelanocorys S«e>. Lark Bunting. 

Bill conical, much deeper than broad at base, gently convex at tip and 
base, nearly straight in middle ; wing about four times as long as tarsus, 
its tip almost truncated ; tail about three fourths as long as wing, much 
more than basal half overlaid by upper coverts ; slightly double-rounded 
or nearly even, feathers rather narrow. Adult male in summer: whole bird 
black or slaty except for white patch on wings and sometimes white marks 
on tail feathers. Adult female in summer: above grayish brown, streaked 
with blackish ; wing patch restricted and tinged with buffy ; tail except 
middle feathers spotted with white ; under parts white, streaked on breast 
and sides. Adult male in winter : similar to female, but wings and tail 
blackish instead of brown, and feathers of lower parts black beneath the 
surface and showing through more or less ; chin black. Adult female in 
winter: like summer female, but less grayish and more buffy. Young: 



378 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 

similar to adult female, but more buffy, feathers of lower parts bordered 
with buffy white, streaks on lower parts narrower. Male : length (skins) 
6.10-7.25, wing- 8.35-3.62, tail 2.58-2.80, bill .52-.58. Female: length 
(skins) 5.70-6.50, wing 3.22-3.35, tail 2.38-2.70, bill .50-.52. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran and Transition zones of the 
high plains from Assiniboia south to Colorado and Kansas ; migrates 
through New Mexico, Arizona, and southern and Lower California to 
plateau of Mexico ; occasional west of Rocky Mountains, and accidental 
in Atlantic states in migration. 

Nest. — Sunk in ground, sometimes under a bunch of weeds, made of 
grass and fine roots. Eggs : 4 or 5, plain pale blue. 

The striking black and white of the lark bunting probably ac- 
counts for its shyness. While in southern Texas we could almost 
drive alongside of a flock of dull-colored dickcissels sitting on the 
roadside fence, but a flock of the northbound whitewings would fly 
in instant alarm on our approach. They fed on the ground among 
the prairie flowers, but it was hard to get near enough to observe 
their habits, for at the least unguarded motion or footfall they 
would arise simultaneously and dash into the brush. When not 
disturbed they scattered through the chaparral, and, as a man aptly 
observed, were always sitting around as if they had nothing to do. 

A flock of forty or fifty in April showed great variety of plumage, 
for many of the males were only in process of donning their black 
summer plumage. The young males showed the white on their 
wings when sitting and on their tails in flight, but the dull gray 
females showed the white wing patch only when flying. 

On the prairies, where there were neither bushes nor> fences to 
perch on, the buntings, and doves also, sat on the oval slabs of the 
tuni cactus, and it was amusing to see the whitewings sidle gingerly 
along the spiny edges. 

The buntings sang in chorus, and sometimes we would catch a 
delightful wave of song from them as we drove along. On their 
breeding grounds they are said to have a ' rich and varied flight 
song.' 

Having met the birds on their way north in Texas one year, 
the following year we were overtaken by them in New Mexico on 
their way south. During the last of July the flocks were mixed 
black and brown, but from the last of August they were mainly 
brown. In the Guadalupe Mountains bands passed our camp every 
day, with their soft Jioo-ee, a peculiarly sweet note given with a 
cheery, rising inflection. 



TANAGERS 379 

FAMILY TANAGRID^: TANAGERS. 

GENUS PIKANGA. 

General Characters. — Bill straight, stout, conoidal ; nostrils exposed ; 
rictal bristles well developed ; wing of nine primaries lengthened and 
pointed ; tail shorter than wings, emarginate ; tarsus not longer than mid- 
dle toe, scaled. 

KBY TO ADULT MALES IN SPRING. 

1. Upper mandible with a tooth-like projection on cutting 

edge. W'^ 

2. Plumage marked with black. ^^^- *^^- 

3. Plumage scarlet and black erythromelas, p. 380. 

3'. Plumage red, black, and yellow .... ludoviciana, p. 379. 

2'. Plumage not marked with black ; red, with grayish back and 
brownish ear coverts hepatica, p. 381. 





1'. Upper mandible without tooth-like projection. 

Fig. 468. 

2. Under parts vermilion or poppy red rubra, p. 382. 

2. Under parts rose pink COOperi, p. 382. 

607. Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.). Louisiana Tanager: West- 
ern Tanager. . ^ 

Upper mandible with a tooth-like projection on cutting edge. Adult 
male in summer : head and neck bright orange or red ; rest of under 
parts bright yellow ; upper parts black, with yellow rump and wing- 
patches. Adult female in summer: upper parts olive green, back and 
scapulars grayish ; wing bars dull yellowish ; under parts pale grayish 
yellow, becoming sulphur yellow on under tail coverts ; anterior part of 
head sometimes tinged with red. Adult male in winter : like summer 
female, but with head yellow or slightly tinged with red, more or less 
obscured on occiput and hind neck with olive green or dusky tips to 
feathers ; feathers of back usually more or less distinctly edged with yel- 
lowish olive ; tertials broadly tipped with white or pale yellow ; tail feath- 
ers more or less tipped with white. Young male in 'first autumn : like adult 
female, but clearer yellow below and rump yellower. Young female in 
first autumn : like adult female, but duller ; upper parts more brownish 
olive, under parts washed with brownish olive ; wing bars narrower, and 
buffy. Young male, first plumage : upper parts olive green ; wings black- 
ish, with yellow wing bars ; tail with outer webs of feathers edged with 
olive green ; throat and chest grayish, chest tinged with yellow and 
streaked ; chin and under tail coverts yellow ; rest of under parts white. 
Male: length (skins) 6.20-6.95, wing 3.71-3.83, tail 2.64-2.98, bill .57-.62. 
Female : length (skins) 6.30-6.90, wing 3.54-3.88, tail 2.68-2.89, bill .53- 
.63. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Transition zones in mountains 
from British Columbia to Arizona, and from northwestern Nebraska to 
California ; straggles eastward in migration to the Atlantic states ; win- 
ters south to Guatemala. 



380 TANAGERS 

Nest. — Usually on the horizontal branch of a fir, pine, or oak, 15 to 30 
feet from the ground, made of twigs, sometimes with mosses and coarse 
grass, lined with rootlets and horsehair. Eggs : 3 or 4, pale bluish 
green, lightly spotted with browns and purples. 

Food. — Insects. 

The western tanager breeds abundantly in the high mountain 
forests, being common at 10,000 feet in Colorado. In the forests of 
British Columbia on their first arrival the males have been found 
singing at daybreak from the tops of the tallest trees, sometimes 
300 feet from the ground. In the Sierra Nevada they are common 
from an altitude of 3000 feet to the summit, and in the heavily tim- 
bered parts, though a flash of red and yellow between the treetops 
is often the most you get, their calls and songs are among the com- 
monest bird notes heard. 

Their song has the rough- jointed, swinging rhythm characteris- 
tic of the tanagers, but there are also a chattering call which sug- 
gests the scold of an oriole, rendered as pitic, pitictic, and a plaintive 
tu-weep', which is particularly noticeable when the birds are going 
about with their young. At that time the tanagers descend to the 
lower levels. I have seen them on the scrub oak and sagebrush of 
the Wasatch foothills in cottonwood hedges, and even along barbed 
wire roadside fences, making sallies to the ground for insects. On 
San Francisco Mountain they cotae to the springs for water, and I 
have seen one drinking from a pan in a ranch dooryard. 

The tanagers must eat a large variety of insects, for they are not 
only expert fly-catchers and glean from the treetops, but are also 
especially fond of caterpillars, judging, by the numbers we have 
seen probing tent-caterpillars' nests. 

608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill. Scarlet Tanager. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Brilliant scarlet ; wings and tail 
deep black ; under wing coverts white. Adult 
female in spring and summer : upper parts yel- 
lowish olive green, usually grayer on back and 
scapulars ; under parts light yellow, washed with 
olive green on sides ; under tail coverts canary 
yellow. Adult male in fall and winter : similar 
to adult female, but wings and tail black. Young 
Fig. 469. male in first autumn : like adult female, but yel- 

low of under parts clearer ; wings with two yellow- 
ish bands ; black first appearing on wing coverts and scapulars. Young 
male, nestling plumage : upper parts olive green, faintly mottled with dusky ; 
wings and tail with olive green edgings ; wings with two yellowish bands ; 
under parts white, tinged with yellow behind ; chest and sides streaked. 
Male: length (skins) 6.25-6.75, wing 3.62-3.91, tail 2.56-2.82, bill .57-.62. 
Female : length (skins) 6.20-6.70, wing 3.45-3.72, tail 2.52-2.77, bill .57- 
.62. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran and Transition zones of the 




TANAGERS 381 

eastern United States from Canada and Manitoba south to the Tennessee 
Mountains, and from the Atlantic west to the Plains ; casually or occa- 
sionally to Colorado and Wyoming ; winters in the West Indies, eastern 
Mexico, Central America, and south to northern South America ; accidental 
in Bermuda, 

Nest. — On a horizontal branch, 10 to 30 feet from the ground, a flat, 
loose structure, made of stems and plant fibers, lined with fibers and root- 
lets. Eggs : 3 to 5, essentially like those of the summer tanager. 

Food. — Insects and wild berries. 

The songs of the tanagers have a strong resemblance, but their 
call-notes are very different. That of the scarlet tanager is a dis- 
tinctly enunciated chip-churr, and so unique that it will identify him 
when his glowing scarlet body and black wings and tail are hidden 
in the greenery. 

609. Piranga.hepatica Swains. Hepatic Tanager. 

Upper mandible with tooth-like projection on cutting edge. Adult male 
in spring and summer : under parts scarlet, brownish on sides; ear cov- 
erts brownish, Avith white shaft streaks ; crown bright red ; rest of upper 
parts dull red ; back and scapulars tinged with grayish brown ; lower man- 
dible bluish gray in life. Adult female in spring and summer : upper parts 
olive green, grayer on back ; under parts olive yellow, darker on sides. 
Adult male in fall and winter : back and scapulars more broAvnish gray; 
red of under parts duller, some of the feathers with paler tips. Adult fe- 
male in fall and winter : like summer female, but brighter. Young ., nest- 
ling plumage : streaked, on grayish olive above, pale huffy below ; wings 
with buffy bars. Male : length (skins) 6.90-7.80, wing 3.96-4.13, tail 3.12- 
3.37, bill .66-.73. Female : length (skins) 6.90-7.74, wing 3.85-3.99, taH 
2.94-3.34, bill .67-.71. 

Remarks. — The hepatic tanager may be distinguished from the Cooper 
by its dull grayish red back and the scarlet tone of its under parts, com- 
pared with the nearly uniform coloration and rose pink tones of the Cooper. 
Its gray cheeks are a good field character. The males are three years in 
acquiring the brilliant adult plumage, and breed in a mixture of the red 
and yellow of their parents. 

Distribution. — From southwestern Texas, central New Mexico, and 
Arizona south to Guatemala. 

Nest. — On low oak branches, a slight structure made of coarse rootlets 
and dried plant stems, lined with finer materials. Fggs : 3 or 4, very pale 
bluish green, lightly spotted chiefly around larger end with browns and 
purples. 

In the wooded bottom of the Pecos River canyon, near where the 
river flows into the Rio Grande, we found the hepatic tanager in 
May, evidently at home and established for the summer. Its song, 
strikingly like that of the scarlet tanager, rang out so loud that 
across the river it seemed to be close at hand. The call was a single 
note. 

In the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, we found the beauti- 
ful bird quite common in the oaks and pines on the edge of the 
Transition zone, at about 6700 feet, especially on the rocky wooded 
hillsides. 




382 SWALLOWS 

610. Piranga rubra (Linn.). Summer Tanager. 

Adult male (summer and winter). — Upper parts dull dark red; wings 

and tail brownish red ; under parts vermilion or 

poppy red. Adult female (summer and winter) : 

upper parts plain yellowish olive ; under parts 

dull yellow. Immature male : red mixed with 

patches of yellowish green. Young male in first 

autumn: like adult female, but colors richer, 

upper parts more ochraceous ; crown, upper tail 

coverts, tail, and edges of wing quills tinged 

Fig. 470. ^^i^i^ ^^11 orange. Male : length (skins) 6.40- 

7.20, wing 3.64-3.92, tail 2.80-2.94, bill .66-.76. Female : length (skins) 

6..50-7.20, wing 3.50-3.77, tail 2.62-2.91, bill .69-.72. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in the eastern 
central United States, west to western Texas ; migrates to Cuba and through 
eastern Mexico south to Peru. 

Nest. — In trees, 6 to 60 feet from the ground, made of weeds, grasses, 
leaves, and catkins. Eggs : 3 or 4, green, spotted with browns and purples. 

610a. p. r. cooperi Bidgw. Cooper Tanager. 

Similar to rubra, but larger, with relatively longer bill, wing, and tail, 
and under parts rose pink. 

Remarks. — The Cooper tanager diifers from the hepatic by the absence 
of gray on the back and by the rose pink tone of its under parts. Male : 
length (skins) 6.60-7.50, wing 3.66-4.18, tail 2.98-3.38, bill .72-.78. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 7.00-7.85, wing 3.80-4.02, tail 2.95-3.26, bill .76-.80. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southwestern Texas to the Colorado Valley, 
California, and from Arizona and New Mexico to northwestern Mexico ; 
south in winter to western Mexico ; casually to Colorado. 

The Cooper tanager seems to be especially fond of the cottonwoods 
of the lower levels, and migrates early in the fall. 

FAMILY HIRUNDINIDiE : SWALLOWS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail forked for more than length of tarsus. 

2. Tail forked for about half its length. 

Hirundo, p. 384. 

2'. Tail forked for less than half its length. -p- ^^^ 

Progne, p. 383. ^'^■^'^- 

1'. Tail forked for less than length of tarsus. 

2. Under parts entirely pure white . . . . . Tachycineta, p. 385. 
2'. Under parts not entirely pure white. 

3. Tarsus with tuft of feathers above hind toe . . Riparia, p. 386. 
3'. Tarsus without tuft of feathers. 

4. Wing with outer quill ..^.^.maax miL^'' '•""i"'"'"' ! n i m .j _, ,,: ..,._^ ^^^ ^^^ 

hooked in male, rough- ,' ^^^^s^v. NX.\!^ ' v\ "^ !P 
ened in female. "^ 

Stelgidopteryx, p. .387. Fig. 472. 

4', Wing with outer quill normal; forehead white, buffy, or brown. 

Petrochelidon, p. 383. 




SWALLOWS 383 



GENUS PROGNB. 



General Characters. — Bill long, stout, and convex ; feet large, with 
strong, curved claws ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ; tail forked 
for less than half its length. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Females with under tail coverts streaked subis, p. 383. 

1'. Females with under tail coverts not streaked . . . hesperia, p. 383. 

611. Progne subis (Linn.). Purple Martin. 

Adult male. — Whole body glossy blue black ; wings and tail black ; 
feathers of ventral region entirely sooty grayish beneath the surface. 
Adult female and immature males with forehead grayish and upper parts 
sooty glossed with blue black, interrupted by grayish collar ; lower parts 
grayish in front, whole under parts streaked, the feathers, especially on 
chest, with distinctly sooty grayish centers. Length : 7.25-8.50, wing 5.65- 
6.20, tail 3.00-3.40 (forked for .70-.90). 

Distribution. — Temperate North America from Ontario and Hudson 
Bay south to the southern end of Mexican tableland ; wintering in South 
America. 

Nest. — In holes of trees or about buildings and in bird boxes. £ggs : 
3 to 5, plain white. 

Food. — Insects. 

The peculiar vibrant and at the same time mouthed quality of the 
martin's song tells of his presence, even when his big steel blue body 
is not seen floating around overhead. His song, though unpreten- 
tious, is a talkative twitter very pleasant and companionable. 

But, although we usually associate him with bird boxes and towns, 
large numbers, especially of the western subspecies, still nest in 
hollow trees in the mountain forests. 

611a. P. s. hesperia Brewst. Western Martin. 

Adult male. — Indistinguishable from male of subis. Adult female : 
similar to female subis, but light gray of forehead extending back into 
crown ; feathers of back and rump conspicuously edged with grayish or 
pale brown ; bend of wing and under coverts mottled profusely with 
whitish ; anterior under parts and nuchal collar grayish white ; and whole 
tract from abdomen to under tail coverts almost immaculate white. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Pacific coast region from Oregon south through 
California and Arizona to southern Lower California ; migrates to Nica- 
ragua. 

The examination of birds from British Columbia may show that 
they should be referred to this form. 

GENUS PETROCHELIDON. 

General Characters. — Tail short, nearly even ; nostrils without nasal 
scale, opening directly upward ; tarsus with tuft of feathers above hind 
toe. 

key to species. 

1. Forehead white or pale Isabella ....... lunifrons, p. 384. 

1'. Forehead rich chestnut ; rarely fawn color . melanogastra, p. 384. 




384 SWALLOWS ^^^^^^ A:f 

612. Petrochelidon lunifrons {Say). Cliff Swallow. 

Adults. — Forehead white, buffy, or brown ; crown, back, and patch on 
chest glossy blue iDlack ; throat and sides of head chest- 
nut ; rump conspicuous pale rufous ; belly white. Young : 
similar, but colors duller and pattern "less sharply defined; 
throat usually, and other parts of head sometimes, spotted 
with white ; tertials and tail coverts edged with brown, 
chestnut of head partly or v/holly wanting ; upper parts 
Fie 473 ^^^^ blackish. Length : 5-6. wing 4.05-4.55, tail 2.00- 

2.20. 
Distribution. — North America, from the limit of trees south to the 
southwestern United States ; migrates to Central and South America. 
Not recorded from Florida or the West Indies. 

Nest. — A gourd or retort shaped structure made of pellets of mud 
mixed with a few straws, lined with feathers ; attached to cliffs or build- 
ings. Eggs : 3 to 5, white, speckled or spotted with brown and lilac. 
Food. — Ants and other insects. 

Id regions where there are no houses, the retort-shaped nests of 
the cliff swallows are usually found in colonies massed on the side 
of a cliff, under the roof of a cave, or plastered to the branches of 
a giant tree ; but in the settled part of the country the birds seem 
to prefer eaves of barns and houses, and their nests have been 
found in deserted buildings plastered to ceilings and walls. 

There is such a common prejudice against these swallows that 
boys are often encouraged to shoot them with sling-shots in the 
cities, and ranchmen drive them away from their barns, fearing 
that the parasites which infest them will spread to the stock. But, 
as a matter of fact, bird parasites will not live on mammals, and 
the swallows do great good by eating annoying insects. 

612.2. Petrochelidon melanogastra (Swains.). Mexican 
Cliff Swallow. 

Like lunifrons, but " smaller, with forehead chestnut, like throat afid 
sides of head (rarely fawn colored), and rump deep cinnamon." (Ridg- 
way.) Length : 4.50-5.00, wing 3.95-4.30, tail 2.00-2.20. 

Distribution. — Mexico, south to Guatemala, north to southern Arizona. 

The Mexican clifiE swallow has recently been added to the list of 
United States birds by Dr. E. A. Mearns, who found it breeding in 
southern Arizona. 

GENUS HIRUNDO. 

613. Hirundo erythrogastra Bodd. Barn Swallow.^ 

Tail forked for about half its length, outside feather tapered to point; 

1 Hirundo eiijthrogastra palmeri Grinnell. 

Like erythrogastra, but color of under parts deeper, and frontal chestnut band broader 
and darker ; wing and tail somewhat longer and bill smaller. 

Distribution. — Western North America, summering from southern California to Kot- 
zebue Sound, Alaska ; west to Uualaska and east to and including the Rocky Mountains. 
[The Condor, iv. 71.) 



SWALLOWS 



385 



Fig. 474. 



tarsus shorter than middle toe 
and claw; upper part 
feathered. Adults : under 
parts tawny brown, darkest 
on throat ; forehead dark 
brown, rest of upper parts glossy 
steel blue ; wings and tail tinged 
with purple and green ; tail feath- 
ers — except middle pair — marked 
with large whitish spots. Young : 
fork of tail shorter; upper parts 
paler, under parts duller, brown of 
forehead indistinct or wanting ; 
throat and chest light rusty. 
Length : 5.75-7.75, wing 4.60-4.90, 
tail 3.70-4.10, forked in adult male 
for about 1.85-2.10. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the 
Arctic Circle south to southern end 
of Mexican tableland; migrates 
to Central and South America. 
Nest. — A bowl-shaped wall- 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
Agriculture. 

Fig. 475. Barn Swallow. 



pocket, made of pellets of mud mixed with straws and lined with feathers, 
attached to side or roof of a cave or to timbers in barns or other build- 
ings. Eggs : 3 to 5, white, speckled with brown and lavender. 
Food. — Insects, largely flies. 

The long forked tail of the barn swallow gives it a peculiarly- 
easy, graceful flight, and one of its favorite feats is to catch the 
insects that accompany a horse and carriage along the road, easily 
circling around and around them as the horse carries the wagon 
along at full swing. 

While the other swallows hunt more habitually in the sky, the 
barn swallow is usually seen beating low over a meadow. When 
resting on a telegraph wire it sings a bright, squeaky little warble. 
Its call-note is given as a soft tvitt, icitt, and its alarm-note as a 
harsh fffr, fr'r'r. 

Though generally associated with barns and meadows, it is often 
found in towns, and along the line of the Canadian Pacific is one of 
the commonest birds seen in the mountain canyons. • 



GENUS TACHYCINETA. 

General Characters. — Tail forked for less than length of tarsus ; tarsus 
entirely naked. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Upper parts metallic steel blue or greenish .... bicolor, p. 385. 
1'. Upper parts green and purple lepida, p. 386. 

614. Taohycineta bicolor (Vieill.). White-bellied Swallow: 
Tree Swallow. 
Adult male. — Under parts pure white ; upper parts burnished steel blue ; 




386 SWALLOWS 

lores deep black ; wing's and tail blackish, slightly tinged with green. 
Adult female : upper parts usually duller than in male, 
but sexes often indistinguishable. Young : above entirely 
dull brownish slate. Length : 5.00-6.25, wing about 4.50- 
4.80, tail 2.30-2.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the limit of trees south to 
New Jersey, the Ohio Valley, Kansas, and California ; 

Fig. 476. White- winters from South Carolina and the Gulf States south 

bellied Swallow, to the West Indies and Guatemala. 

Nest. — In holes, usually of trees, lined with grasses, 

leaves, and feathers. £^ggs : usually 4 or 5, pure white. 

The white-bellied sw^allow, with its shining white breast and 
metallic bluish green back, may be seen skimming over the water 
or sailing about in the sky at some season in a large part of North 
America. In southern California it is said to be abundant in the 
lowland willow regions, especially about ponds and marshes, while 
in Colorado it breeds up to an altitude of 10,000 feet. 

615. Tachycineta thalassina lepida {Meams). Northern 

Violet-green Swallow. 

Adult male. — Top of head parrot green ; nape with a narrow purple 
collar ; back bottle green, glossed with violet in some lights ; rump and 
upper tail coverts violet, shaded with purple ; wing and tail quills black, 
glossed with indigo ; wing coverts violet, edged with green ; rump with 
white patches on sides almost confluent in life ; under parts white. Aduit 
female : similar, but smaller and duller. Young : like those of bicolor, 
but feathers of under parts grayish beneath the surface, and bill smaller. 
Length ; 5.30, wing 4.65, tail 1.97, bill .26. 

Distribution. — Breeds in western United States to the eastern base of the 
Rocky Mountains ; north to Alaska ; migrates to Guatemala and Costa Rica. 

Nest. — In cliifs or hollow trees, lined with feathers. Eggs : 4 or 5, white. 

Let a violet green swallow once come fleeing down a canyon past 
you, so that you see its remarkable violet back as it flashes by, and 
you will always have a vivid interest in the handsome bird. 

It is especially fond of the oaks and pines of the mountains, but 
nests not only in hollow trees and woodpecker holes but often in the 
walls of canyons. Dr. Mearns has found it breeding in limestone 
cliffs about the hot springs and geysers of the Yellowstone. It is 
not exclusively a bird of the wilds, however, but sometimes comes 
about ranches. 

GENUS RIPARIA. 

616. Riparia riparia (Xmn.). Bank Swallow. 
Tarsus with a small tuft of feathers on back near toes ; bill 

small, nostrils opening laterally ; tail much shorter than 
wings, emarginate. Upper parts sooty, darkest on head and 
wings ; under parts white, with sooty band across chest and 
sides, and sometimes sooty spot on breast. Young : similar, 
but feathers of wings and rump with buffy or whitish edg- 
Fig.477. ings. ien^fA; 4.75-5.50, wing 3.70-4.25, tail 2.10-2.25, 





WAXWINGS AND PHAINOPEPLAS 387 

Distribution. — Northern hemisphere ; in America breeding from the 
limit of trees south to the central United States ; wintering from the 
southern border of the United States south to the West Indies, Central, 
and northern South America. 

Nest. — In horizontal holes or burrows, excavated in sand banks, cuts, 
and banks of streams. Eggs : 3 to 6, white. 

Food. — Insects. 

The colonies of chattering little bank swallows with dull colored 
backs and dark chest bands seem to require little more than a sand 
bank and a telegraph wire for complete happiness, and given these, 
blow the wind east or blow the wind west, they gossip merrily on. 

GENUS STELGIDOPTERYX. 

617. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (^urf.). Rough-winged Swal- 
low. 

Bill small ; tail short and slightly emarginate ; tarsus slightly feath- 
ered above ; lateral claws curved ^^j —;————— -—|- , 

and not reaching ^> ^^^^^n<N> x^X^ ^- ; cy^^ 
beyond the base of z 

the middle claw ; Fig- 478. 

outer web of outer primaries saw-toothed in male, roughened 

in female. Adults : upper parts dull grayish brown, darker 

on wings and tail, tertials usually margined with grayish ; 

^^' ' under parts soiled gray, belly and under tail coverts white. 

Young : like adults, but plumage more or less washed with brown ; wings 

with broad cinnamon tips and margins. Length : 5.00-5.75, wing 4.00- 

4.70, tail 2.05-2..35. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Sonoran and Transition zones of British Colum- 
bia, Ontario, the United States, and Mexico ; migrates to Guatemala. 

Nest. — In holes, usually in banks, but often in abutments of bridges, 
Eggs : 3 to 6, white. 

Food. — Flies and other insects. 

The dingy rough wings are less sociable than the bank swallows 
during the nesting season, but afterwards assemble in large flocks 
and are in less of a hurry to start for the south. 

In Nevada, during a shower, Mr. Oberholser once found a flock 
congregated about a small cliff in a cave. 

FAMILY AMPELIDiE: WAXWINGS AND PHAINO- 
PEPLAS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Wings pointed Ampelis, p. 387. 

1'. Wings rounded Phainopepla, p. 390. 

GENUS AMPELIS. 

General Characters. — Head crested ; bill short, broad, flat, rather 
obtuse, plainly notched near tip of each mandible ; wings long and pointed, 
much longer than tail ; primaries apparently only nine, the first being 



388 WAXWINGS AND PHAINOPEPLAS 

minute ; inner quills g'enerally, and tail feathers sometimes, tipped with 
red horny appendag-es like sealing- wax ; tail short ; feet rather weak ; 
tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Forehead and cheeks dark brown in contrast to crest. 

garrulus, p. 388. 
1'. Forehead and cheeks fawn color like crest . . . cedrorum, p. 388. 

618. Ampelis garrulus -Linn. Bohemian Waxwing. 

Adults. — Whole body, including- high crest, soft fawn color, fading- to 
grayish on rump and flanks, and washed with yellowish on middle of 
belly ; forehead, cheeks, and under tail coverts deep brown ; chin, lores, 
and eye streak extending back under crest, velvety black ; wings and tail 
blackish, wing coverts extensively tipped with whitish or yellow, the ter- 
tials sometimes with red wax-like appendages ; tail with a terminal band 
of yellow. Young : duller ; under parts streaked. Length : 7.40-8.75, 
wing 4.40-4.60, tail 2.7.3-2.90. 

Distribution. — Northern parts of northern hemisphere ; breeds in north- 
ern North America to Fort Churchill, Hudson Bay ; migrates into the 
United States as far as Pennsylvania, Illinois, Colorado, and California. 

Nest. — In trees, 6 to 20 feet from the ground, bulky, made of twigs, 
rootlets, leaves, grass stems, and sometimes lichens and mosses ; lined with 
rootlets, grasses, and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 5, bluish white to purplish 
gray, spotted with lilac and dark brown, most thickly about the larger 
end. 

Food. — Insects, fruits, and berries, including juniper and mountain ash 
berries. 

The Bohemian waxwing, though an irregular wanderer from the 
north, is not uncommon in the mountains of Colorado in winter, 
going as high as 8000 feet. It comes in November and leaves in 
February or March. 

619. Ampelis cedrorum (VieilL). Cedar Waxwing. 

Adults. — Streak through eye velvety black ; crest, head, and under 
parts fawn color, fading to olive yellow on flanks ; upper parts olive gray 
becoming blackish on wing quills and tail ; tail tipped with yellow and 
both wing and tail sometimes tipped with red wax-like appendages. Young : 
similar, but duller, and under parts strongly, upper parts lightly, streaked. 
Length: 6.50-7.50, wing 3.60-3.90, tail 2.30-2.60. 

jRemarks. — The Cedar waxwing difPers from the Bohemian in being 
smaller, and in lacking the dark brown of forehead, cheeks, and under tail 
coverts, and the yellow and white wing markings. 

Distribution. — Breeds mainly in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of 
North America, from Saskatchewan south to Virginia, western North 
Carolina, and the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona; winters from 
the northern border of the United States to the West Indies and Costa Rica. 

Nest. — In bushes or low trees, a deep, bulky structure, made of twigs, 
weed stems, grasses, and vegetable fibers, lined with leaves and fine 
rootlets. Fggs . usually 4, bluish or purplish gray, spotted with brown or 
black. 

Food. — Insects, including elm-leaf beetles and bark or scale lice, with 
teeds or berries of trees, such as pepper, juniper, mulberry, and mistletoe. 



WAXWINGS AND PHAINOPEPLAS 



389 




Fig. 480. Cedar Waxwing. 



Like the Bohemian waxwing the cedar-birds are wanderers, travel- 
ing over the country in floclis except during their late breeding sea- 
son. Sometimes they appear in small bands of less than a score, at 
others in such large companies that when they alight in a pepper- 
tree and fall to eating the berries their plump, moving forms seen 
through the foliage make the trees seem alive with their numbers. 

Though they all talk at once, as they usually do, their sibilant 
notes are so soft and subdued that a passer-by would scarcely heed 
their presence. 

However much romance there may be in the famous stories recit- 
ing the politeness and affection of these gentle birds, they merit all 



390 



WAXWINGS AND PHAINOPEPLAS 



the study that can be given them, and if watched through a nesting 
season win their own place in the affections of the bird-lover. 



GENUS PHAINOPEPLA, 

620. Phainopepla nitens (Swains.). Phainopepla. 

Head with long thin occipital crest ; wing rounded, of ten feathers, but 

first only about half as long 
as second ; tail long and fan- 
shaped ; hind toe very short. 
Adult male : glossy blue 
black except for white 
patch on inner webs of pri- 
maries. In winter : many of 
the feathers bordered with 
white. Adult female and 
young: plain brownish gray, 
lighter below ; white on pri- 
maries restricted, but wing 
coverts, secondaries, and 
lower tail coverts with whit- 
ish edgings. Length : 7.00- 
7.75, wing 3.60-3.80, tail 
^\ 3.80-4.10. 

I Remarks. — In the field the 
Phainopepla may be recog- 
nized at a distance by his 
black body and white wing 
patches. 

Distribution. — Breeds in 
arid Lower Sonoran zone 
from southwestern Texas to 
the Pacific, and from south- 
ern Utah, Nevada, and Cali- 




Fig. 481. 



fornia south to Cape St. Lucas and the Valley of Mexico. 

Nest. — Saucer shaped, compactly made of plant fibers, stems, and 
blossoms, small twigs and plant down ; placed in elders, peppers, oaks, 
and blue gums, and often in parasitic plants. Eggs : 2 or 3, grayish or 
greenish white, thickly spotted with brown, blackish, or faint lilac. 

Food. — Insects and berries such as those of the pepper, choke cherry, 
elder, sumac, the mistletoe and other parasitic plants. 

The phainopepla is a bird of the southwest desert country, and in 
Arizona Mr. Scott has found flocks of fifty or more gathered in 
juniper covered canyons when the berries were ripe; but when a 
single individual strays up to the foothills of the Sierra it is a de- 
lightful surprise to meet him. In southern California the phaino- 
pepla seems as much at home on the telegraph wires of Pasadena and 
in the parks of Riverside as in the canyons, and wherever found is 
the same dashing, distinguished beauty. 

When flying at an intruder he lowers his crest threateningly, but 
ordinarily it stands as a high plume adding distinction to his refined, 



SHRIKES 391 

dignified presence. Though so reserved in bearing he is full of 
vivacity and song, and will sometimes dart up in the air and come 

down singing. , . . i 

His sallies often appear to be made for insects, being m regular 
kino-bird manner, and at times in southern California when the 
brush is full of millers, the birds seem to be catching them. But 
berries are their ordinary food, the mistletoe, pepper, and jumper 
being prime favorites. t, i ^ ^i -^ 

In the breeding season in leaving the trees to go back to their 
nesting grounds, they often rise obliquely for perhaps a hundred 
feet and then fly on evenly straight to their destination, though 
sometimes while flying level and high they change their course by 
odd, sudden jerks. When near the nest the male often closes his 
wio'c^s and shoots obliquely down with tilting tail. 

About the nest the birds have a variety of notes. The commonest, 
which resembles the call of a young robin, is given by both male 
and female, with a flash of the tail. The male has also a scold, a 
meadowlark-like note, and a harsh alarm-call drawn out like ca-rack 
or ca-rac-ack. His ordinary song, though with weak, squeaky 
notes has phrases of rich quality suggesting the o-ka-lee of the red- 
wing • and taken as a whole, jumbled notes, flutelike tones, musical 
outbursts, and all, the song is most pleasing because of its vivacity 
and brightness. 

The nests of the few individuals I have watched were built mainly 
by the males, the females of a brush patch going off by themselves 
while their lords worked at home. 

FAMILY LANIIDiE: SHRIKES. 

GENUS LANIUS. 

General Characters. — Bill large and powerful, notched, toothed, and 
hooked ; wing with ten primaries ; wing and tail rounded ; feet large and 
strong ; tarsus distinctly scaled. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 



Fig. 482. 
1. Lores and nasal tufts never wholly black .... borealis, p. 392. 
1'. Lores and nasal tufts always wholly black, 



2'. Under parts dull white, grayish, or brownish, often finely barred with 

3. Fppef parts tinged with brownish gambeli. p. 393. 

3'. Upper parts dark slate gray anthonyi, p. 39d. 



392 SHRIKES 

621. Lanius borealis Vieill. Northern Shrike. 

Adults in summer. — Wide streak on side of head, and wings and tail 
black, wings and tail extensively marked with white ; under parts white, 
barred or undulated with grayish; upper parts pale ash gray liecoming 
whitish on forehead, superciliary, and rump ; lores black and grayish, 
a whitish spot on lower eyelid. Adults in winter: similai*, but basal half 
of lower mandible light brownish horn color, grayish in life, and lores 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 483. 

chiefly light grayish or whitish. Young : largely washed with brownish. 
Length: 9.25-10.75, wing 4.35-4.60, tail 4.50-4.70, bill from nostril .50-.55. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Labrador, Hudson Bay, and Cook Inlet, 
Alaska, northward ; migrates south in winter as far as Virginia, Kansas, 
Arizona, and northern California. 

Nest. — In bushes or thorny trees, a rude, bulky structure of twigs, 
grasses, and stems, lined with mosses, lichens, and feathers. Eggs : 4 to 
6, pale bluish green, spotted with brown and purple. 

Food. — In winter, mice, English sparrows, grasshoppers, and other 
birds and insects. 

The northern shrikes reach Colorado in October, Prof. Cooke 
says, first appearing on the mountains above timberline. Some of 
them winter as high as 9500 feet in the mountain parks, but most 
of them work their way down to the plains, where they find abun- 
dant food in the shape of horned larks. In other regions they are 
often tempted to visit cities by the unfailing supply of English 
sparrows, for in habits they are miniature birds of prey. 

622a. Lanius ludovicianus ex cubitorides (Swains.). White- 
RUMPED Shrike. 

Adults. — Bill, lores, and nasal tufts wholly black ; upper parts light slate 

gray ; upper tail coverts whitish ; 
under parts pure white, very lightly, 
if at all, marked. Young : like adults, 
but base of lower mandible light- 
Fig. 484. colored, general colors less strongly 




SHRIKES 393 

contrasted, washed with brown and narrowly barred, the wing" coverts 
tipped with buffy. Length : 8-10, wing- 8.75-4.10, tail 3.75-4.30, bill from 
nostril .42-.50, depth of bill at base .o0-.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds from British Columbia and Hudson Bay south to 
Lower California and over the northern tablelands of Mexico. 

Nest. — In thorn-trees, hedges, briers, and cactus ; bulky, made of sticks 
and stems, leaves, wool, and feathers ; lined with stems of grass and 
weeds, and sometimes hairs. Eggs : 4 to 6, grayish to yellowish white, 
spotted with brown and lilac. 

Food. — Mice, birds, and insects — chiefly grasshoppers. 

A shrike may be recognized as far as seen by his level flight, the 
beating of his short little wings, and the way he holds up his big 
head ; and when he alights liis clear grays and sharply contrasting 
blacks and whites mark him afar. He is partial to Sarcobatus flats, 
hedges, thorny bushes, and barbed wire fences, even when not using 
the barbs as letter files for his superfluous catch of grasshoppers. In 
spite of all accusations the shrike probably impales his victims less 
because of original sin than because of original scarcity of supplies, 
and only a short time ago he was seen by a California observer re- 
turning to his catch and eating it with marked relish. {The Condor, 
iv. 49.) Nor is he such a villain as to be wanting in sound domestic 
virtues, and harsh and strident as his voice may be in the main, it 
has interesting if not musical moments. 

622b. L. 1. gambeli Bidgw. California Shrike. 

Upper parts slate gray, tinged with brownish ; upper tail coverts some- 
times abruptly whitish as in excubitorides ; under parts dull white or gray- 
ish, darker on sides, breast usually distinctly vermiculated and sometimes 
tinged with pale brown. Length : 8-10, wing 3.70-4.00, tail 3.75-4.50, bill 
from nostril .43-.48, depth at base .30-.35. 

Bemarks. — The California shrike may be distinguished from the white- 
rumped by the darker coloration of the under parts. In excubitorides they 
are pure white, in gambeli usually vermiculated, darkened on the sides and 
sometimes tinged with pale brown. 

Distribution. — Coast region of California. 

Nest. — 5 to 30 feet from the ground in willows, cypress, or oak ; bulky, 
made of coarse twigs and soft materials such as straw, grass, feathers, 
cotton, and wool. Eggs : 4 to 7, gray, sometimes tinged with green, spotted 
with light brown and sometimes purple, usually heaviest around the larger 
end. 

Mr. Grinnell says that the California shrike is such a persistent 
destroyer of the Jerusalem cricket and other injurious insects that 
it is undoubtedly one of our most beneficial birds from the agricul- 
turalist's standpoint and should be protected. 

622c. L. 1. anthonyi Mearns. Island Shrike. 

Similar to gambeli. but much darker and smaller ; under parts gray, be- 
coming white on throat and under tail coverts ; upper parts dark slate gray ; 
white areas on wings and tail more restricted than in any of the ludovi- 
cianus group. Length : 8.77, wing 3.74, tail 4.00, bill .63. 

Distribution. — Santa Barbara Islands, California. 



394 VIREOS 

FAMILY VIREONIDiE: VIREOS. 

GENUS VIREO. 

General Characters. — Bill similar to that of the shrikes, distinctly 
hooked and notched at tip ; rictal bristles conspicuous ; wings equal to or 
long-er than tail ; tail nearly even ; claws stout, strongly curved ; side toes 
unequal in length. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Head strikingly marked. 

2. Lores and orbital ring white in sharp contrast to gray or black of 
head. 

3. Top and sides of head black, atricapillus, p. 397. ^^7^ \ 

Fig. 485. 
3'. Top and sides of head gray. 

4. Back gray. Southern Rocky Mountain region. 

plumbeus, p. 397. 
4'. Back olive green. 

5. Brighter olive green. Eastern United States. 

solitarius, p. 396. 

5'. Duller olive green. Western United States. 
cassinii, p. 896. 



2'. Lores and orbital ring not white in sharp contrast to 
head. 

3. Sides and flanks tinged with olive gray. 

olivaceus, p. 395 



3'. Sides and flanks bright olive yellow . . . flavoviridis, p. 395. 
. Head not strikingly marked. 
2. Upper parts gray. Western Texas to southern California. 

vicinior, p. 400. 
2'. Upper parts bright olive green or tinged with olive. 
3. Upper parts bright olive green. 

4. Larger and brighter noveboracensis, p. 398. 

4'. Smaller and duller. Rio Grande Valley . . micrus, p. 399. 
3'. Upper parts tinged with olive green. 

4. Wings unmarked gilvus, p. 395. 

4'. Wings marked with white. Fig. 488. 

5. Wing about 2.18. 

6. Wing with two distinct bands. Mississippi Valley and Plains^ 

bellii, p. 399. 
6'. Wing usually with only one band. Arizona and California. 

pusillus, p. 400. 
5'. Wing about 2.50. 
6. Wing bars white. 






VIREOS 395 

7. Darker, wing bars narrower. California. 

huttoni, p. 399. 
T. Paler and grayer, wing bars broader. Texas and Arizona. 

Stephens!, p. 399. 

6'. Wing bars tinged with yellow. Washington and Oregon, 

wintering in California obscurus, p. 399. 

Subgenus Vireosylva. 

Spurious primary if present decidedly shorter than tarsus ; wing without 
light bauds. 

624. Vireo olivaceus {Linn.). Red-eyed Vireo. 

Adults. — Top of head gray, conspicuously bordered by white superciliary 
and narrow black line ; blackish line through eye ; rest of 
upper parts olive green ; wings without bands or spurious 
primary ; under parts clear white. Young : similar, but back 
brownish ash ; sides washed with brown. Length : 5.50-6.50, 
Fig. 489. wing about 3.10-3.30, tail 2.15-2.30, exposed culmen, .50- 

.55. 
Distribution. — Breeds from the arctic regions south chiefly in the north- 
eastern United States, but extending through Florida and to the Gulf of 
Mexico ; west to Montana and Washington ; migrates to South America. 

Nest. — Hung rather low from a forked twig of a tree, made of strips 
of birch and inner bark, dead leaves, and vegetable fibers, often patched 
with bits of wasp nest and lined with pine needles, or stems and rootlets. 
Eggs : 3 to 5, white, lightly specked with reddish brown, chiefly around 
the larger end. 

Food. — Insects and small berries. 

The eastern red-eyed vireo is found occasionally in Colorado at the 
base of the foothills, and has been recorded as far west as British 
Columbia. 

625. Vireo flavoviridis (Cass.). Yellow-green Vireo. 

Like olioaceus, but sides and flanks bright olive green, axillars and 
under tail coverts sulphur yellow. Length : 6.25-6.75, wing 2.80-3.20, tail 
2.05-2.50. 

Distribution. — Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, south to South 
America ; accidental in Quebec and at Riverside, California. 

627. Vireo gilvus (VieilL). Warbling Vireo. 

Adults. — Upper parts olive gray, grayest on head and most olive on rump 
and upper tail coverts ; white streak through eye ; wings and 
tail dusky brown, unmarked, wing with a well-developed spu- 
rious primary ; sides of head pale brownish or huffy ; under 
parts white, shaded with olive yellow on sides. Young : top 
Fig. 490. of head and hind neck pale grayish buff ; rest of upper parts 
huffy, wings with buffy bars ; under parts pure white, except 
for yellowish tail coverts. Length: 5.00-5.50, wing 2.65-2.95, tail 2.10- 
2.40, bill from nostril .30-.32, depth at base .15-.18. 

Distribution. — North America in general from Great Slave Lake to 
northern Mexico ; breeds throughout the greater part of this range. In 
winter to southern Mexico. 

Nest. — Similar to that of the red-eye, but smoother and more compact ; 
hung in trees, usually at a considerable height, in open copses, along banks 




396 VIREOS 

of streams, or in shade-trees along- streets. Eggs : 4 or 5, white, spotted 
around larger end with reddish, dark brown, and lilac. 

Colorless as this small leaf-tinted bird may seem in coat, character, 
and song, its voice is nevertheless one of the sunny warbled rounds 
that gives good cheer to the western mountain forests. 

In Colorado, Prof. Cooke says, it breeds sparingly on the plains 
and abundantly in the mountains up to 10,000 feet, especially in the 
aspens. On San Francisco Mountain, Arizona, Dr. Mearns found it 
in fall in the rank growth of annuals along streams in company with 
terrestrial warblers. 

But, though a mountain dweller, the little vireo is also a village 
bird, leaning over and craning its neck to examine the leaves for 
worms as carefully in a Utah garden as in the retirement of the 
forest. 

Subgenus Lanivireo. 

Spurious primary if present decidedly shorter than tarsus ; wing with two 
white bars. 

629. Vireo solitarius {Wils). Blue-headed Vikeo. 

Adults. — Top and sides of head dark gray in sharp contrast to white loral 
streak, orbital ring and throat ; back olive green ; wings with two white bars ; 
under parts clear white, shaded with olive and yellow on sides and flanks. 
Young in first winter : anterior upper parts grayish brown, under parts dull 
buffy white. Length : 5-6, wing 2.90-3.00, tail 2.10-2.20, bill from nostril 
.28-.30. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Great Slave Lake and Hudson Bay to south- 
ern New England and the northern part of the lake states, and from the 
Atlantic coast to Dakota ; migrates to Guatemala. 

Nest. — In woods, in undergrowth, or hung from lower branches of small 
trees, like that of the red-eye, but often decorated with catkins. Eggs : 
usually 5, white, spotted mainly with reddish brown around the larger end. 

Food. — Chiefly insects. 

629a. V. s. cassinii (Xantus). Cassin Vireo. 

Adults. — Top and sides of head gray in sharp contrast to white of loral 
streak, orbital ring, and throat; back dull 
olive green ; wings with two clear white 
bands ; under parts clear white, washed 
with yellow and olive on sides and flanks. 
Young in first winter : dull grayish brown 
above, dull buffy below. Length : 5.00- 
5.60, wing 2.85-3.00, tail 2.10-2.30, bill 
from nostril .28-.31, tarsus .70-.7S. 

Distribution^ — Breeds from British Co- 
lumbia and Idaho south along the Pacific 
coast region and Nevada to Lower Cali- 
Fig. 491. fornia ; migrates to Arizona, New Mexico, 

and northern Mexico. 
Nest. — In oaks, manzanita, and buck brush, pendant, compactly woven 
and lined with light-colored grasses, decorated with pieces of white cocoon. 
Eggs : 4 or 5. 




YIREOS 397 

The Cassin vireo is more often heard in the oaks and conifers than 
the warbling, though it also frequents alders and aspens. In south- 
ern California, Mr. Grinnell finds it breeding in the mountain canyons 
from the foothills to 4000 feet, and Mr. Anthony, writing from Ore- 
gon, says, ' ' Its clear, metallic notes ring through our forests from 
earliest dawn until dark." 

629b. V. S. plumbeus (Coues). Plumbeous Vlreo. 

Adults. — Entire upper parts and sides of head dark gray, in sharp con- 
trast to white loral streak, orbital ring-, throat, and wing- bars ; under 
parts white, sides and flanks strongly tinged with olive gray. Young : 
similar, but upper parts more or less tinged with brown, and sides with 
more olivaceous. Length: 5.75-6.15, wing 3.05-3.30, tail 2.30-2.55, bill 
from nostril .30-.35. 

Remarks. — In the plunabeous vireo the contrasts between the gray and 
white markings of the head and under parts are the same as in other 
members of the solitarius group, but in plumbeus there is hardly a trace of 
the olive on back and sides which mark the other members of the group. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the southern Rocky Mountain region from the 
Black Hills westward to the desert ranges of the Great Basin ; also in 
northern Mexico ; migrates from southern Wyoming to southern Mexico. 

Nest. — In pine or oak, pendant, made of inner bark and vegetable fibers, 
lined with fine grass stems and rootlets, and decorated with lichen, cocoon 
cases, web, plant blossoms, and sometimes feathers. Eggs : often 4, white, 
lightly specked around the larger end with black and brown. 

In the wooded canyons of the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas the 
loud, rich whistle of plumbeus often calls your attention to the gray 
bird with the white eye rings who stops his work to sing in a sunny 
pine top. There is something peculiarly attractive about him ; it 
may be the harmony of his quaker garb with his sweet, rich voice 
and quiet ways. 

In New Mexico, through the breeding season, Mr. Henshaw found 
the birds as high as 10,000 feet ; but in migration he found that they 
scattered over the country, taking to the deciduous trees along 
streams. 

Subgenus Vireo. 

Spurious primary equal to or longer than tarsus. 

630. Vireo atricapillus Woodh. Black-capped Vireo. 

Adult male. — Top and sides of head black in sharp contrast to white 
loral streak, orbital ring, and median under parts ; 
back bright olive green ; wing bar yellowish white. 
Adult female : similar, but duller, and black of 
head usually slaty. Young in first winter : top and 
sides of head dull brownish ; lores, orbital ring, 
and median under parts dull buffy ; upper parts 
brownish green. Length : 4.40-4.75, wing 2. 15- 
2.30, tail 1.80-2.00. 

Distribution. — Breeds from southwestern Kan- 
sas to central and western Texas ; winters in south- 
ern Mexico. 




Fig. 492. 



398 VIREOS 

Nest. — Hung- in thickets, in bushes, or small trees, 2 to 6 feet from the 
ground, made of dry leaves, cocoons, and spiders' webs, lined with fibers of 
grass and bark; Eggs : usually 8, plain white. 

Food. — (3 stomachs) caterpillars. 

At Pecos High Bridge, in the bottom of the Pecos River canyon, 
which rang with the songs of an hepatic tanager, canyon wrens, and 
cardinals, we were delighted to find the rare little spectacled black- 
cap actually common, adding his loud song to the rich canyon 
chorus. His song was unusually varied for a vireo, though of the 
general character of the white-eye or bellii type rather than that of 
gilvus. One song contained a run, and its last notes were liquid, 
loud, and emphatic, something like come here, right -now -quick' , or 
there now, wait-a-Ut. The alarm-note was hoarse. 

The calm deliberation of the vireo blood seems wanting in the 
black-cap even though he does live in Texas. He hops about or 
flies around in the most alert, energetic way. A pair were busy 
building in a dense vine grown thicket against one of the canyon 
walls, that is to say, the male was busy singing near by while his 
mate worked on the nest, weaving spider web over the skeleton 
leaves and cocoon cases. 

Though the black-caps are partial to ravines, Mr. Bailey found 
them common on scrub-oak ridges about Kerrville, hunting low in 
the scrub oaks and junipers. 

631. Vireo noveboracensis (GmeL). White-eyed Vibeo. 

Adults. — Upper parts bright olive green, wings with two sharply 
marked bands ; lores, forehead, and orbital ring bright yellow ; throat and 
chest white, sides and flanks bright sulphur yellow. Young : olive gray, 
greener posteriorly ; wings crossed with two buffy bands ; under parts 
white, buffy on flanks ; loral streak white. Length : 4.50-5.00, wing 2.35- 
2.50, tail 1.90-2.10, bill from base .55-. 58, bill from nostril .27-.30, tarsus 
.72-.78._ 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from New 
England south to Louisiana and northern Texas, west to the Rocky Moun- 
tains ; winters from Florida to Guatemala and Honduras. 

Nest. — Hung in bushes or vines, in thickets or along borders of woods 
or swamps, seldom over 4 feet from the ground ; made of vegetable fibers, 
leaves, mosses, and lichens, lined with stems of weeds and grasses. Eggs : 
4 or 5, white, lightly spotted with purple and reddish brown around the 
larger end. 

Food. — Insects and their larvae. 

The white-eyed vireo ranges west as far as the Rocky Mountains, 
and in Kansas, Colonel Goss says, lives in thickets of briars and 
vines on the low prairies, and also on the edges of woods bordering 
streams and swamps. In Bermuda, where its jolly little relative 
abounds, it is known as the ' chick of the village,' and its song is 
rendered as Chick-a-dee-chick' -de-villet. 



VIREOS 399 

631c. V. n. micrus Nelson. Small White-eyed Vlreo. 

Like noveboracensis, but smaller and duller colored, with a paler wash 
of yellow on flanks. JVing : 2.29, tail 1.97, bill .38, tarsus .78. 

Distribution. — Rio Grande Valley, Texas, to central Tamaulipas, Mex- 
ico. 

The breeding range of the small white-eyed vireo in Texas extends 
from Kinney and Uvalde counties to the Gulf of Mexico. 

632. Vireo huttoni Cass. Hutton Vieeo. 

Adults. — Lores and orbital ring- dull whitish ; upper parts dull olive 
brown, greener on rump, wings, and tail ; wing bars narrow, white ; under 
parts dingy, tinged on sides with olive yellow ; spurious primary well 
developed. Young : similar, but upper parts lighter brown, sides of head 
huffy brown, under parts paler. Length : 4.25-4.75, wing 2.40-2.45, tail 
2.00-2.10, bill from nostril .26-.29, tarsus .72-.76. 

Distribution. — Southern and central California, west and south of the 
Sierra Nevada. 

Nest. — As described by Cohen, hung in scrub oak heavily draped with 
moss ; made mainly of moss. Eggs : usually 4, white, lightly dotted 
around larger end with shades of brown. 

Mr. Grinnell says that the H'utton vireo is common throughout 
the year in Los Angeles County. While occurring from the willow 
regions of the lowlands up to. 6000 feet in the mountains, it prefers 
the oak regions of the mesas and foothills. 

632a. V. h. Stephens! Brewst. Stephens Vikeo. 

Similar to huttoni, but paler ; olive gray above, greenish toward tail ; wing- 
bands pure white, broader. Length : 4.00-5.20, wing 2.50-2.65, tail 2.10- 
2.20, bill from nostril .25-.30, tarsus .70-.75. 

Distribution. — Mountains of western Texas, Arizona, Mexico, and Lower 
California. 

632b. V. h. Obscurus Anthony. Anthony Vireo. 

Like huttoni, but averag-ing smaller, with plumage darker and olive 
tints brighter. 

Distribution. — Breeds on the Pacific coast from British Columbia south 
to Oreg'on, and winters in California. 

Nest. — As described by Bowles, hung from twigs of a young- fir, 9 feet 
from the ground, woven of hanging moss and lined with fine dried grasses 
thickly interwoven. Eggs : 2, white, marked about the larger end with 
black spots. 

633. Vireo bellii Aud. Bell Vireo. 

Loral streak and orbital ring dull white ; upper parts brownish olive, 
olive green on rump ; wings and tail brownish, wing bars narrow, dull 
white ; throat white ; rest of under parts washed with sulphur yellow ; 
under tail and wing coverts yellow. Length : 4.20-5,25, wkig 2.05-2.30, 
tail 1.80-1.95, bill from nostril .28-.30, tarsus .70-.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the Mississippi Valley and on the Great Plains, 
from Indiana to Dakota, and south through Texas to Mexico ; accidental 
in New Hampshire. 

Nest. — Hung from vines or forks of twigs, made of plant fibers and 



400 VIREOS 

dead leaves, lined with stems and sometimes hairs. Eggs : usually 4, 
white, thinly spotted around larger end with reddish brown. 
Food. — Insects and their larvae. 

The Bell vireo is a common bird in its range, abounding in the 
piiim thickets of Nebraska, dense patches of brush and briers in 
Kansas, and the tangled mesquite woods of southern Texas. 

Its song, like that of many vireos, is heard all through the hot 
noonday hours. It resembles that of the white-eye, but leaves off 
the interrogative eh ? after the wlio-are-you ? It has a harsh, scold- 
ing note, Mr. Henshaw says, which it often repeats as it goes 
through the brush searching for food. 

633.1. Vireo pusillus Coues. Least Vireo. 

Adults. — Upper parts gray, faintly tinged with olive on rump, wings, 
and tail ; wings with one and sometimes two narrow bars ; lores gray and 
white ; under parts white, sides washed with olive. Young : lores wholly 
white ; top of head and hind neck pale brown ; back dull green, rump 
greenish. Length: 4.80-5.25, wing 2.10-2.30, tail 2.03-2.20, bill from 
nostril .25-.29, tarsus .70-.80. 

Distribution. — Upper and Lower Sonoran zones in Arizona and Califor- 
nia ; south to Cape 8t. Lucas and northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — In bushes, in thickets. Eggs : 3 or 4, white, lightly dotted with 
brown, more thickly around the larger end. 

The least vireo is common in southern California in the willow 
regions and along streams up to the foothills. 

634. Vireo vicinior Coues. Gray Vireo. 

Adults. — Upper parts and sides of head dull gray, with faint tinge of 
greenish On rump ; lores and orbital ring white ; wings brownish with 
wing band indistinct or wanting ; under parts clouded grayish white. 
Young : like adults, but upper parts with brownish tinge and wing bar 
buffy white. Length : 5.60-5.75, wing 2.50-2.60, tail 2.40-2.55. 

Bemarks. — The gray vireo differs from the plumbeous in its duller, 
less sharply contrasted coloration and absence of striking wing bars. 

Distribution. — From western Texas to southern California and from 
southern Nevada to northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — In thorny bushes or trees, 4 to 6 feet from the ground, some- 
times supported underneath or on sides so that it is not pensile ; made of 
loosely woven coarse grass and mesquite bark lined with fine grasses. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, white, sparsely marked with irregular spots, chiefly around 
larger end. 

In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains Mr. Scott found 
the gray vireo breeding in comparative abundance where the oaks 
begin at the upper edge of the mesquite. 

Mr. Henshaw found it in New Mexico frequenting rocky hills cov- 
ered with scanty growth of bushes and scrub. In hunting, he says 
it takes a middle line between that of the treetop solitary vireos 
and the low hunting white-eyed group, spending most of its time 



WOOD WARBLERS 401 

from six to twelve feet from the ground. The gray vireo's song 
Mr. Henshaw considers the finest of all vireo songs, as it has not only 
beauty and variety of note but mellowness of expression. 

FAMILY MNIOTILTIDiE : WOOD WARBLERS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Gape with conspicuous bristles. 

2. Under parts mainly clear yellow Wilsonia, p. 427. 

2'. Under parts marked with red, orange, or yellow (except .^^T o 
young- Cardellina). ^^^ i 

Fig. 493. 
3. Bill broad and much flattened at base . . Setophaga, p. 429. 

3'. Bill narrow and deep at base. Face and throat red in ^^To-- 
adults, brown in young' . . . Cardellina, p. 430. ^^ j. 

Fig. 494. 
1'. Gape without conspicuous bristles. 

"^^^1^^^ 2. Tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw ; 
WSp' upper parts conspicuously streaked with 

^8f . black and white . . Mniotilta, p. 402. 

Fig. 495. Fig. 496. 

2'. Tarsus longer than middle toe with claw ; 
upper parts not distinctly streaked with 
black and white. p.^ ^^^ 

3. Bill deep, and strongly curved . . Icteria, p. 426. 






3'. Bill not deep, nor strongly curved. 
Fig. 498. 4. Bill narrowly wedge-shaped. 

5. Rietal bristles obvious ; upper parts blue with 
olive patch . . . Compsothlypis, p. 406. 

Fig. 499. 5'. Rietal bristles obsolete; upper parts not blue 
with olive patch . Helminthophila, p. 402. 

4'. Bill slenderly conical. ^^^ 5 

5. Tail marked with white or yellow. Fig. 500. 

Dendroica, p. 407. 
5'. Tail not marked with white or yellow. 

6. Tarsus less than one third as long as wing ; 

under parts streaked . . Seiurus, p. 423. 

6'. Tarsus decidedly more than one third as long 

as wing ; under parts not streaked ; partly 

yellow Geothlypis, p. 424. 



402 WOOD WARBLERS 



GENUS MNIOTILTA. 




636. Mniotilta varia (iinn.). Black and White Warbler. 

Bill shorter than head, very slender, notched and slightly decurved at 

tip ; rictal bristles minute ; wing- long-, pointed ; tarsus about 

one fourth as long as wing or less, its seutella rather indistinct ; 

middle toe with claw about equal to tarsus. Adult male: whole 

_ bird streaked glossy blue black and white except for plain white 

Fig. 501. ^^ middle of belly ; throat closely streaked, sometimes solid 

black; wing with two white bars ; tail with white spots near end 

on inner webs of two outer feathers. Young male : similar to adult male, 

but throat white, unstreaked, and markings duller. Adult female : similar 

to young male, but duller, the black not so deep, and white of under parts 

dingy. Male : length (skins) 4.30-4.75, wing 2.62-2.79, tail 1.68-2.01, bill 

.40-..51. Female: length (skins) 4.30-4.65, wing 2.56-2.66, tail 1.79-1.91, 

bill .40-.48. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Atlantic to the Plains and from Fort 
Simpson to Virginia and southern Kansas ; winters in the Gulf states, 
West Indies, and south to South America ; accidental in California. 

Nest. — Imbedded in ground in woods, made of plant fibers, grasses, 
moss, and leaves, lined with stems and hair ; sometimes partially roofed 
over. Eggs : 4 or 5, creamy white, thickly speckled, chiefly on larger end, 
with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects and their eggs and larvsB. 

GENUS HELMINTHOPHILA. 

General Characters. — Bill much shorter than head, narrowly wedge- 
shaped, straight, tip without notch, very acute ; rictal bristles obsolete; 
wing with three or four outermost primaries abruptly longest ; tarsus 
nearly one third as long as wing (except in H. peregrina), its seutella 
indistinct. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Crown patch chestnut. 

2. Rump chestnut luciae, p. 402. 

2'. Rump yellowish green. 
3. Under parts white with yellow chest patch . . virginiae, p. 403. 

3'. Under parts bright yellow. Rocky Mountains to 

California gutturalis, p. 404. 

■--- ..j^ 
1'. Crown patch orange or wanting. Fig. 502. 

2. Crown patch orange ; under parts yellow. 

3. Under parts dull yellow. Rocky Mountains. . . celata, p. 404. 
3'. Under parts bright greenish yellow. Rocky Mountains to Pacific 
coast. 

4. Lighter. Western States lutesceiis, p. 405. 

4'. Darker. California Islands soidida, p. 405. 

2'. Crown patch wanting ; under parts grayish white. 

peregrina, p. 406. 

643. Helrainthophila luciae (Cooper). Lucy Warbler. 

Adidt male in spring and summer. — Upper parts gray, crown chestnut, 
feathers more or less tipped with gray ; upper tail coverts bright chestnut ; 



WOOD WARBLERS 403 

lores, eye ring", and under parts white, tinged with brownish on sides and 
buffy on chest. Adult female in spring and summer : like summer male, 
but chestnut of crown and upper tail coverts lighter, crown patch re- 
stricted, sometimes obsolete. Adult male in fall and winter : upper parts 
tinged with brown ; crown patch concealed by gray tips to feathers ; 
under parts brownish buff, becoming whitish on belly. Young in first 
plumage : like adults, but without crown patch ; upper tail coverts buffy 
brown instead of chestnut ; wings with two bars ; under parts white. 
Male: length (skins) 3.60-4.05, wing- 2.17-2.29, tail 1.62-1.73, bill .33-.35. 
Female: length (skins) 3.62-3.75, wing 2.03-2.08, tail 1.47-1.57, bill .30- 
.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from the Santa Clara 
Valley, Utah, south through Arizona and Sonora to Jalisco, Mexico. 

Nest. — Usually in deserted woodpecker holes, behind bark of trees, in 
giant cactus, or by roots along river banks, 2 to 20 feet from the ground, 
made of fine straws, leaves, horsehair, and feathers. Eggs : 3 to 5, white 
or creamy, finely speckled, usually in dense ring around larger end, with 
reddish brown. 

Mr. O. W. Howard found the Lucy warblers fairly common along 
the river-bottoms throughout southern Arizona, especially in the 
willow and mesquite thickets, and Mr. Scott found them breeding 
at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains up to 4000 feet. 

Among the nests found by Mr. Howard some were in deserted 
verdin and woodpecker nests. He says that many are destroyed by 
wood rats and snakes. 

644. Helminthophila virginiee {Baird). Virginia Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Upper parts gray, rump and upper 
tail coverts bright yellowish green ; croivn with chestnut patch concealed by 
gray tips in fresh plumage ; orbital ring white, conspicuous ; under parts 
dull white with chest and usually throat yellow. Adult female in spring and 
summer : Like adult male, but duller, especially on rump and upper tail 
coverts ; crown patch restricted, sometimes almost obsolete ; back browner. 
Adult male in fall and winter : like summer male, but yellow duller, crown 
patch concealed by grayish tips to feathers; upper parts and flanks 
strongly tinged with brown. Young in first plumage : two wing bars dull 
buffy ; under parts brownish gray ; median parts of breast and belly 
white. Male : length (skins) 4.08-4.30, wing 2.40-2.42, bill .35-.39. Fe- 
male: length (skins) 4, wing 2.26-2.38, tail 1.79-1.84, bill .37. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountain region of the United States from Wy- 
oming to Nevada and south to Guanajuato and Jalisco. 

Nest. — On the ground under a bush or tuft of grass ; made of straws, 
rootlets, and fibers, loosely put together. Fggs : often 4, creamy white, 
finely and rather densely speckled over whole surface or around larger end 
with chestnut and purplish gray. 

Mr. Ridgway found the Virginia warbler common in the Hum- 
boldt and Wasatch Mountains, and Mr. O. W. Howard states that it 
is quite common in the pine regions of Arizona above 5000 feet. In 
Colorado Mr. Aiken rarely finds it above 7500 feet, and he thinks that 
it prefers the foothills. 

Unlike other warblers found in Arizona, Mr. Howard says, during 




404 WOOD WARBLERS 

the summer it stays almost wholly in the underbrush, where it keeps 
continually on the move, uttering a quick chirp as it goes. 

During the migrations, Mr. Aiken reports, it has been found 
among cottonwoods and willows bordering streams, and often among 
the pines. He says : " The male is very musical during the nesting 
season, uttering his sweet little ditty continually as he skips through 
the bushes in search of his morning repast ; or, having satisfied his 
appetite, he mounts to the top of some tree in the neighborhood 
of his nest, and repeats at regular intervals a song of remarkable 
fullness for a bird of such minute proportions." 

645a. Helminthophila rubricapilla gutturalis {Ridgw.). 
Calaveras Warbler. 

Adult male. — Under parts bright yellow ; upper part of head gray, with 

conspicuous white orbital ring- and chestnut 

crown patch, but feathers tipped with gray ; 

back olive green, brightening to yellowish 

green on rump and upper tail coverts ; wings 

and tail unmarked. Adult female : similar, 

but duller, and crown with little if any chest- 

•■^vs nut. Young: throat, chest, and under tail 

coverts dull 'yellowish ; belly buffy brown ; 

^ upper parts brownish gray, becoming olive 

*^' "* ■ gray on rump, Male : length (skins) 4.05- 

4.7.5, wing 2.32-2.46, tail 1.70-1.88, bill .37-.40. Female: length (skins) 

3.85-4.10, wing 2.12-2.19, tail 1.53-1.62, bill ..34-.3S. 

Remarks. — The sharply contrasting yellow throat and gray sides of 
head make a striking field character. 

Distribution. — Breeds on mountains in Transition n,nd Canadian zones 
from the Pacific coast of North America eastward during migrations to 
the Rocky Mountains and central Texas, and from British Columbia south 
to Lower California and northern Mexico. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, made of weed stems, grasses, and bark, 
lined with soap-root fiber. Eggs : usually 5, creamy white, spotted with 
reddish brown mixed with lavender in wreath around larger end. 

In California the Calaveras warbler is often met with in the 
chaparral. It looks up at you shyly as it clings to the stalk of a 
bush, and you have barely time to note how the dark sides of its 
throat contrast with its yellow body before it has hopped off to a 
twig and is making its way through its dense little forest. In the 
breeding season, at Fort Klamath, Oregon, Dr. Merrill says, it hunts 
mostly among the aspens, though flying up occasionally into the 
pines. He compares its song, which is loud and constant, to that of 
the yellow warbler. 

646. Helminthophila celata {Say). Orange-crowned Warbler. 
Adult male. — Upper parts didl olive green, brighter on rump ; some- 
times tinged with gray, especially on liead ; crown with dull orange patch 
concealed except in worn midsummer plumage by grayish olive tips to 
feathers ; orbital ring and superciliary yellow ; under parts dull yellowish, 



WOOD WARBLERS 405 

indistinctly streaked with darker on throat and chest. Adult female: crown 
patch usually duller and restricted, sometimes obsolete. Young : generally 
without crown patch. Young in first plumage : crown patch wanting- ; 
upper parts dull olive ; wings with two light bands ; belly white ; rest of 
under parts brownish gray, tinged with buffy. Male : length (skins) 4.25- 
4.80, wing 2.39-2.49, tail 1.92-2.07, bill .37-.41. Female: length (skins) 
4.35-4.65, wing 2.26-2.33, tail 1.78-1.94, biU .37-.42. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Yukon and Mackenzie River districts 
south through the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico ; migrates to south- 
eastern United States and central Mexico. 

Nest. — On the ground, hidden in a bank or among bushes ; made of 
strips of bark, plant stems, and grasses, lined with grasses, or hair and fur. 
Eggs: 4 to 6, white or creamy, finely speckled, chiefly around the larger 
end with reddish brown. 

Food. — Leaf worms and other insects. 

646a. H. c. luteseens (Ridgw.). Lutescent Warbler. 

Similar to celata, but brighter colored ; upper parts bright olive green ; 
under parts bright greenish yellow, streaks on under parts dull olive greenish. 
Young in first plumage : upper parts olive green, wing bars paler or buffy ; 
under parts buffy or straw color shaded with olive on chest, sides, and 
flanks. Male : length (skins) 4.20-4.45, wing 2.29-2.41, tail 1.76-1.93, bill 
.37-.38. Female : length (skins) 4.00-4.40, wing 2.24-2.40, tail 1.80-1.85, 
bill .39-.40. 

Distribution. — Breeds along the Pacific coast from Kadiak to the moun- 
tains of southern California ; east in migrations to the Rocky Mountains, 
south to Mexico and Central America. 

Nest. — On the ground, in cavities in banks or in ferns along small 
streams. Eggs : 4 or 5, colored like those of the orange-crowned. 

The lutescent warbler is often seen during migration stretching 
up for an insect on top of the chaparral, or darting out from the 
blooming top of an oak, with whose golden brown tassels the pretty 
bird harmonizes. He seems a peculiarly dainty, airy little creature, 
his wings lifting him off his feet if an insect is a bit beyond his 
reach, and holding him up like a hummingbird under an oak tassel, 
or carrying him about from branch to branch while he looks for 
food, warbling his short lay in the intervals. In the breeding season 
he goes to the mountain sides where he is found in the shrubbery, 
in aspens, or on the ground, sometimes above an altitude of 11,000 
feet. 

646b. H. e. SOrdida Towns. Dusky Warbler. 

Like luteseens, but decidedly darker, bill and feet larger, wing shorter, 
tail longer. Male : length (skins) 4.35-4.70, wing 2.27-2.36, tail 1.94-1.97, 
bill .42-.47. Female : length (skins) 4.60-4.70, wing 2.23-2.26, tail 1.93- 
1.97, bill .41. 

Distribution. — Santa Barbara Islands, California ; visiting adjoining 
mainland after the breeding season. 

Mr, Griunell states that dusky warblers appear in the vicinity of 
Pasadena in July or August in large numbers iu the oak regions 
and along the arroyos. 



406 WOOD WARBLERS 

647. Helminthophila peregrina {Wils.). Tennessee Wak- 

BLER. 

Adult male. — Crown and hind neck dark gray ; rest of upper parts olive 
green ; loral streak dark gray bordered by white above ; under parts whit- 
ish ; wings and tail unmarked, tail gray, feathers with outer webs edged with 
olive green, inner webs with white, outside feather usually with a white 
spot. Adult female : similar, but gray of head more or less mixed with 
green, and superciliary and under parts lightly washed with olive yellow. 
Young male in first autumn: upper parts olive green, including crown and 
hind neck ; under parts strongly tinged with olive yellow except for white 
belly and under wing and tail coverts. Young female in first autumn: like 
young males, but yellow brighter. Male : length (skins) 4.05-4.70, wing 
2.46-2.67, tail 1.61-1.81, bill .37-.39. Female : length (skins) 4.20-4.70, 
wing 2.30-2.40, tail 1.54-1.67, bill .37-.40. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Alaska, British Columbia, Great Slave Lake, 
and Hudson Bay south to the northern United States ; migrates mainly 
through the Mississippi Valley south to Cuba and northern South America ; 
accidental in southern California. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, made largely of grass, leaves, and moss, 
sometimes with hair lining. Eggs : 4 or 5, white, spotted with reddish 
brown around the larger end. 

Food. — Winged insects, caterpillars, and other leaf -eating insects. 

The Tennessee warbler is a rare migrant in the eastern part of 
Colorado, passing north the latter'half of May. In Kansas, Colonel 
Goss says, it is found in low bushes, in tall weeds, about gardens 
and orchards, along banks of streams, and the edges of woodland, 

GENUS COMPSOTHLYPIS. 

General Characters. — Bill much shorter than head, narrowly wedge- 
shaped and acute, but distinctly curved, at least toward tip ; rictal bristles 
distinct ; wing tip decidedly shorter than tarsus ; tarsus decidedly less 
than one third as long as wing, its scales indistinct. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Eyelids white usneae, p. 406. 

1. Eyelids dusky. Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, nigrilora, p. 407. 

648a. Compsothlypis americana usneae Brewster. Northern 
Parula Warbler. 

Adult male. — Sides of head and upper parts bluish gray, with triangular 
olive green patch on back ; wings with two white bars, tail with 
white spots on inner webs of two outer feathers ; throat and 
breast yellow, chest more or less tinged with orange brown, and 
often crossed by blackish band ; feathers sometimes tipped 
with chestnut ; eyelids white ; lores black. Adult female : 
Fig. 504. similar, but colors duller, less pronounced. Young in first 
autumn : whole upper parts tinged with olive green, under 
parts pale yellow. Young : yellow of under parts replaced by grayish, 
chin tinged with yellow ; upper parts grayish, more olive on back. Male : 
length (skins) 3.82-4.45, wing 2.24-2.48, tail 1.55-1.77, bill .35-.43. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 3.66-4.13, wing 2.13-2.34, tail 1.52-1.65, bill .35-.41. 
Distribution. — Breeds chiefly in Canadian zone north of 41°, but locally 




WOOD WARBLERS 



407 



from the Atlantic to the base of the Rocky Mountains ; migTates to the 
West Indies, eastern Mexico, and Nicaragua ; casual in Greenland. 

Nest. — Placed within hanging- tufts of lichens or ' beard ' mosses, 
bunches of dead leaves or other rubbish, caught on hanging- branches 
during' freshets. Eggs : 3 to 5, white or creamy, thickly speckled with 
reddish brown, chiefly around larger end. 

Food. — Insects. 

The parula warbler is taken occasionally in southeastern Colorado. 
It is most at home in swampy woods, where it may be seen in the 
treetops quietly looking- for insects, raising its head as it hunts so 
that the dark chest band shows to good advantage. 

649. Compsothlypis nigrilora {Coues). Sennett Wakbler. 

Adult male : Upper parts bluish gray with olive g'reen patch on back ; 
wings with two broad white bands ; throat, breast, and sides yellow, be- 
coming saffron on chest ; rest of under parts white, sides tinged with gray- 
ish and sometimes brown; eyelids dusky; lores blackish. Adult female : 
similar, but slightly smaller and much duller ; upper parts tinged with 
olive green ; lores grayish dusky, under parts paler yellow. Length : 4.25- 
4.75, wing 2.00-2.20, tail 1.58-1.75. 

Distribution. — Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward to 
Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and southeastern San Luis Potosi. 

Nest. — As described by Sennett, a cavity excavated in a mistletoe- 
like air-plant, lined with cottony wood fibers. Eggs : dull white, flecked 
with lilac and brown over the whole surface, and with a broad band around 
the larger end. 

GENUS DENDROICA. 

General Characters. — Bill slenderly conical, tapering gradually to tip ; 
rictal bristles obsolete ; tarsus a quarter to a third as long as 
wing ; scutella indistinct. 



Fig. 505. KEY TO ADULT MALES IN SPRING- 

1. Throat yellow or orange yellow. 




fe^^P^ 2. Throat orange blackburnise, p. 417. 

Fig. 506. 

2'. Throat yellow. 

3. Tail with yellow patches on outer tail feathers. 



4. Under parts yellow, broadly streaked with reddish 
brown aestiva, p. 411. 



4'. Under parts yellow, narrowly streaked with reddish 
brown. 
5. Upper parts yellowish green. sonorana, p. 411. 
5'. Upper parts olive green . . rubiginosa, p. 412. 
3'. Tail without yellow patches on outer tail feathers. 
4, Rump yellow. 




Fig. 507. 



408 



WOOD WARBLERS 




5. Crown plain gray 



maculosa, p. 415, 



Fig. 508. ^ • Crown gray with yellow patch. 

6. Forehead and cheeks black. Arizona. 

nigrifrons, p. 415. 
6'. Forehead and cheeks not black. Western States. 

auduboni, p. 413. 
4'. Rump not yellow. 

5. Crown chestnut palmarum, p. 422. 

5. Crown gray streaked with black; superciliary and 

spot on lower eyelid yellow . . graciae, p. 418. 

1'. Throat black, white, or brown. 

2. Throat brown. 

olivacea,p.410. 
2'. Throat black or white. Fig. SUU. 

3. Throat black. 

4. Sides of head black, or black and white. 



5. Sides of head black. Eastern United States. 

caerulescens, p. 412. 



5'. Sides of head black and white, nigrescens, p. 418. 



4'. Sides of head partly or wholly yellow. 




Fig. 511. 



/ 0'" ^^^m 5. Sides of head wholly yellow. 
nf""' iMirill ) occidentalis, p. 421. 

Fig. 512. 5'. Sides of head not wholly yellow. 



6. Sides of head marked with olive. Eastern United 
States virens, p. 420. 




Fig. 513. 




Fig. 514. 




r. Sides of head marked with black. 



7. Cheeks crossed by narrow black eye streak. 

chrysoparia, p. 419. 



7. Cheeks crossed by wide black band. 

townsendi, p. 421. 



Fig. 515. 




Fig. 516. 




WOOD WARBLERS 409 

3'. Throat white. 

4. Crown blue or black. 

5. Crown blue. Eastern United States, rara, p. 416. 



5'. Crown black Striata, p. 416. 

4'. Crown yellow or with yellow patch. 



5. Rump yellow ; under parts white, black, and yellow. 

coronata, p. 412. 



6'. Rump not yellow ; under parts white, with chestnut 
sides ....... pensylvanica, p. 416. 



Fig. 518. 



KEY TO ADULT FEMALE DENDROICA IN SPRING. 

1. Tail with yellow on inner webs. 

2. Upper parts grayish yellow. Arizona to Texas, sonorana, p. 411. 
2'. Upper parts greenish. 

3. Upper parts greenish yellow aestiva, p. 411. 

3'. Upper parts dull olive green rubiginosa, p. 412. 

1'. Tail without yellow on inner webs. 
2. Rump yellow. 

3. Under parts bright yellow, streaked with black. Eastern United 

States maculosa, p. 415. 

3'. Under parts mainly whitish. 
4. Throat yellowish. 

5. More heavily streaked on darker ground, nigrifrons, p. 415. 
5'. Less heavily streaked on lighter ground. auduboni, p. 413. 

4'. Throat whitish coronata, p. 412. 

2'. Rump not yellow. 

3. Plumage not conspicuously marked with yellow or green. 

4. Upper parts gray and black nigrescens, p. 418. 

4'. Upper parts streaked black and white . . . striata, p. 416. 
3'. Plumage conspicuously marked with yellow or green. 

4. Sides of head or throat marked with bright lemon yellow. 
5. Sides of head gray or white. 

6. Throat, chest, and loral streak yellow . . graciae, p. 418. 
6'. Under parts white, with chestnut sides. 

pensylvanica, p. 416. 
5'. Sides of head yellow, or yellow and olive. 

6. Upper parts grajdsh OCCidentalis, p. 421» 

6'. Upper parts mainly or partly olive green. 
7. Upper parts olive green and gray. Texas. 

chrysoparia, p. 419. 
7'. Upper parts plain olive green. 



410 WOOD WARBLERS 

8^ Upper parts bright green, unstreaked. Eastern United 

States virens, p. 420. 

8'. Upper parts dull green^ streaked, townsendi, p. 421. 
4'. Neither sides of head nor throat marked with bright lemon yel- 
low. 
5. Upper parts olive brown or greenish. 

6. Upper parts olive brown. Eastern United States. 

palmarum, p. 422. 
6'. Upper parts greenish. 

7. Wings and tail edged with greenish. Eastern United States. 

rara, p. 416. 
7'. Wings and tail not edged with green. 

8. Under parts greenish buff . . caerulesceiis, p. 412. 
5'. Upper parts neither olive brown nor greenish. 
6. Head with yellow or orange crown patch. 

blackburniae, p. 417. 
6'. Whole head buffy yellow. New Mexico and Arizona. 

olivacea, p. 410. 

Subgenus Peucedramus. 

651. Dendroica olivacea ((?iraMC?). Olive Warbler. 

Adult male in summer. — Head, neck, and chest orange brown, sometimes 
tinged with olive ; belly soiled whitish ; lores 
and ear coverts black; nape olive, sometimes 
extending- over back of head ; rest of upper 
jjijg 519 parts gray ; wings with two white bars and white 

patch at base of primaries ; tail with two outer 
pairs of feathers mainly white. Adult female in summer and male of second 
year : crown and hind neck olive green ; sides of throat and chest yellowish, 
throat sometimes nearly white ; lores grayish ; wing bars narrower than in 
adult male ; white spot at base of primaries smaller, sometimes obsolete. 
Adult male in winter : like summer male, but head, neck, and chest duller, 
more clay color ; sides and flanks browner ; back more olivaceous. Adult 
female in winter : like summer female, but plumage softer in texture and 
posterior wing band more or less tinged with yellowish. Young male, first 
plumage : like adult female, but upper parts dull olive or brownish olive ; 
sides of head and neck dull buffy, neck tinged with olive ; throat and chest 
buffy. Young female, first plumage : like young male, but paler. Male : 
length (skins) 4.45-5.08, wing 2.84-3.07, tail 1.97-2.20, bill .36-.47. Fe- 
male : length (skins) 4.33-4.92, wing 2.64-2.87, tail 1.86-2.09, bill .35-.47. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Transition and Canadian zones from 
mountains of New Mexico and Arizona south to Guatemala. 

Nest. — In fork of a conifer, 30 to 50 feet from the ground, made some- 
times like a gnatcatcher's nest, of rootlets, flower stalks, moss, lichens, or 
fir blossoms and spider's web, lined with rootlets. Eggs : 3 or 4, olive 
gray or sage green, thickly covered with black specks, sometimes almost 
obscuring the ground color. 

Mr. Scott found the olive warblers in southern Arizona associated 
with Mexican bluebirds in the pines. In looking for food, he says, 
their motions were very deliberate, though occasionally suggesting 
kinglets or titmice in their way of hunting over the tips of the 
boughs. 

Mr, W. W. Price found them breeding in the mountains of Ari- 




WOOD WARBLERS 411 

zona between 9000 and 10,000 feet, the male following the female 
ibout while she collected material for the nest, uttering at times '.a 
liquid quirt, quirt, quirt, in a descending scale.' 

Subgenus Dendroica. 

652. Dendroica sestiva {Gmel). Yellow Warbler. 

Adult male. — Under parts yellow ; breast and belly streaked with rufous ; 
forehead bright yellow, front of crown often tinged with 
orang-e ; hind neck and rest of upper parts yellowish 
green, brightest on rump ; wing edgings yellow ; inner 
webs of tail feathers, except middle pair, light yellow. 
Adult female and male in Jirst autumn : upper parts plain 
yellowish green, usually darker than in male, lighter on 
forehead and rump ; under parts paler and duller, usually 
Young female in first autumn: like adult female, but duller 
olive green above, olive whitish slightly tinged with yellow below ; under 
tail coverts pale yellow. Male : length (skins) 3.94-4,92, wing 2.86-2.80, 
tail 1.65-2.09, bill .39-.43. Female : length (skins) 4.02-4.57, wing 2.24- 
2.68, tail 1.54-1.77, bill .39-.43. 

Remarks. — The yellow on the inner webs of the tail feathers, together 
with the general yellow coloration, are enough to distinguish the cestiva 
group in all ages and sexes. 

Distribution. — North America, except Alaska and southwestern United 
States ; migrates to Central America and northern South America. Breeds 
nearly throughout its North American range. 

Nest. — Compact and cup-shaped, made largely of gray plant fibers, 
lined witli down and feathers ; placed in bushes or trees. Eggs : 2 to 6, 
greenish, spotted usually around larger end with brown, black, and lilac 
gray. 

Food. — Insects. 

The yellow warblers are birds of the chaparral, of willows, and 
thickets along streams in uninhabited regions, and of parks and 
gardens where the gods provide. When seen in the chaparral thick- 
ets the glimpse of yellow tail patches is enough to identify them as 
they disappear, but in towns where they are tame the bricky streak- 
ing of the breast can be seen as they stand on a flowering bush and 
lift their heads to sing. They have so much singing to do and so 
many insects to catch that it keeps them busy. Their song is loud 
and cheery and they have the fine 'chip of their family. In their 
manner of life they belong to the quiet part of the warbler tribe, 
hunting usually in a leisurely way as if they knew that their song 
was needed to add the real summer feeling to the blooming shrubs. 

652a. D. a. sonorana Brewst. Sonora Yellow Warbler. 

Like cestiva, but much paler ; adult male lighter, more yellowish olive 
green above, back often streaked with brown, crown usually clear yellow ; 
under parts lighter yellow than in cestiva ; chest and sides more narrowly 
streaked ; adult female conspicuously paler than in cestiva, upper parts often 
largely pale grayish ; under parts usually pale huffy yellow. Male : length 
(skins) 4.21-4.76, wing 2.32-2.60, tail 1.77-2.20, bill .39-.43. Female: 
length (skins) 4.33-4.57, wing 2.24-2.40, tail 1.65-1.77, bill .39. 




412 WOOD WARBLERS 

Distribution. — From southern Ari:^ona to western Texas and south to 
northwestern Mexico ; in winter to Guatemala and Nicaragua. 

652b. D. a. rubiginosa {Pall.). Alaskan Yellow Warbler. 

Like cestiva, but slightly smaller and much duller ; adult male with 
upper parts darker, duller olive green, crown like back or only slightly 
yellower on forehead ; adult female duller olive green above, duller yellow 
below. Male: length (skins; 4.02-4.45, wing 2.40-2.48, tail 1.57-1.81, bill 
.39. Female : length (skins) 3.90-4.33, wing 2.24-2.44, tail 1.61-1.73, bill .39. 

Distribution. — Alaska, south to Vancouver, migrating southward. 

654. Dendroica CSerulescens (Gmel.). Black-throated Blue 

Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Face, throat, sides, and flanks black, 
sides and flanks streaked with white ; rest of under parts white ; 
upper parts grayish blue ; wing with conspicuous white patch at 
base of primaries. Adult female in spring and summer: upper 
parts olive, usually with white spot at base of primaries ; tail 
feathers edged with bluish or greenish gray ; inner web of 

Fig. 521. outside feather sometimes with paler or whitish spot ; eyelids 
witli whitish streaks., that of upper lid extending over ear coverts ; under 
parts pale olive yellowish, shaded with olive laterally. Adult male in fall 
and winter : like spring male, but white of flanks faintly tinged with brown- 
ish buff and bill brownish instead of black. Adult female in fall and winter : 
like summer female, but upper parts greener ; under parts yellower. 
Young male in first fall and winter : like adult winter male, but white of 
under parts more or less tinged with yellowish, bluish gray of upper parts 
tinged with olive green ; black feathers of throat edged with" whitish. 
Young male, first plumage : wings and tail as in fall males ; white spot at base 
of primaries fully developed ; lores black ; rest of upper parts dark olive 
brown ; throat and superciliary buffy ; breast and sides ashy ; belly sul- 
phur yellow. Young female, first plumage: wings and tail like winter fe- 
male ; spot at base of primaries soiled white; rest of upper parts light olive 
brown ; lores dull black ; under parts buffy, olive buff on breast and sides. 
Male : length (skins) 4.33-4.72, wing 2.44-2.64, tail 1.93-2.13, bill .33-.39. 
Female : length (skins) 4.33-4.76, wing 2.36-2.48, tail 1.87-2.01, bill .3.5-.37. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones from Hudson 
Bay to the northeastern United States, south to Pennsylvania in the 
mountains ; migrates casually to base of Rocky Mountains ; winters in 
Guatemala, the West Indies, and northern South America ; accidental in 
Colorado and on the Farallone Islands. 

Nest. — In bushes, compact and deep ; made of fine grass, spider's web, 
lichen, and strips of fine bark. Eggs : usually 4, buffy whitish or greenish 
white, more or less heavily spotted with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects. 

655. Dendroica coronata {Linn.). Yellow-rumped Warblek. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Crown patch and rump bright yellow ; 

^;~^ rest of upper parts bluish gray, streaked with black ; wings 

i^^^^S^^ with two white bars ; tail black with gray edgings ; outer pair 

^^SiH^F of tail feathers with large spots of white ; throat white ; rest of 

^^^l^p under parts black, yellow, and white. Adult female in spring 

^BP and summer : similar, but smaller and duller ; upper parts 

^^ tinged with brown ; color patches restricted. Adult male in fall 

Fig. 522. and winter : upper parts grayish brown, streaked with black 



WOOD WARBLERS 413 

on back and scapulars ; yellow crown patch concealed by brown tips to 
feathers ; throat and chest brownish white or bufFy brown, chest streaked 
with black ; yellow patches obscured, black patches with white edges to 
feathers. Adult female in fall and winter : like winter male, but smaller, 
upper parts browner, yellow crown patch restricted or obsolete ; under 
parts pale huffy brown in front and on sides ; median parts of breast and 
belly yellowish white ; yellow breast patches indistinct or obsolete. Young, 
first plumage : streaked above and below ; wing's and tail much as in 
adults. Male : length (skins) 4.72-5.51, wing 2.76-3.07, tail 1.97-2.36, 
bill .35-.43. Female: length (skins) 4.65-5.51, wing 2.64-2.95, taU 2.02- 
2.32, bill .32-.41. 

Remarks. — The yellow-rumped and Audubon warblers are similar, but 
can be distinguished by the throat, which is white in coronata and yellow 
in auduboni. 

Distribution. — North America, chiefly east and north of Rocky Moun- 
tains (to Hudson Bay region), straggling westward to the Pacific ; breeds 
from Alaska to northern United States, wintering from southern New 
England and the Ohio valley south to the West Indies and Panama ; 
accidental in Greenland and eastern Siberia. 

Nest. — Usually low in coniferous trees, made of grasses, twigs, and root- 
lets, lined with finer grasses, feathers, and hair. Eggs : 3 to 6, white, 
creamy, or huffy, spotted or blotched chiefly on or around larger end with 
brown and lilac, sometimes mixed with small black markings. 

Food. — Insects, their eggs and larvae, and wild berries. 

The yellow-rump, the eastern representative of the Audubon 
warbler, migrates through Colorado, and Prof. Cooke says it is not 
uncommon for two or three weeks on the plains along the foothills 
of the Rocky Mountains, where a few range up to 9000 feet. It mi- 
grates from ten days to two weeks ahead of auduboni, but in May 
the two species are often found together, 

656. Dendroica auduboni (Towns.). Audubon Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Throat, crownpatch, and rump yellow; 
under parts white, yellow, and solid black ; upper parts bluish gray, streaked 
with black ; wing coverts with large white 
patches ; tail black, inner webs of four 
or five outer feathers with large subter- 
rainal patch of white. Adult female in 
spring and summer : like summer male, 
but duller, and with less black on under 
parts; upper parts usually more or less 
tinged with brown ; yellow crown patch 
restricted, and partly tipped with brown- 
ish gray ; wings with narrower bands ; 
chest and sides grayish, marked with 
black ; color patches restricted. Adult 
male in fall and winter: duller and 
browner than summer male, upper parts 
washed with brown, wing markings tinged I'rora Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of 
with brown ; black of chest and sides . " 

mostly concealed by brownish white edges ^^" ^ 

to feathers. Adult female in fall and winter : like winter male, but smaller 
and duller, back without sharply defined streaks ; yellow patches paler and 




414 WOOD WAKBLERS 

more restricted ; black chest spots more sharply defined. Young, Jirst 
plumage : upper parts thickly streaked with dusky on brownish gray 
ground ; lower rump grayish white, narrowly streaked with dusky ; under 
parts grayish white, streaked. Male : length (skins) 4.80-5.39, wing 2.95- 
3.19, tail 2.09-2.42, bill .39-.43. Female : length (skins) 4.80-5.08, wing 
2.87-3.07, tail 2.13-2.32, bill .39-.43. 

Remarks. — The yellow throat distinguishes the adult Audubon warbler 
from the yellow-rump, and the amount of white on the tail distinguishes 
the young, auduboni having four or five feathers marked with white, coro- 
nata, only two or three. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Transition zones from British 
Columbia south to Arizona, and from California to Sioux County, Ne- 
braska ; winters from western United States to Guatemala, and eastward 
to western parts of Texas and Kansas ; accidental in Massachusetts and 
Pennsylvania. 

Nest. — Usually in pines or spruces, but sometimes in deciduous trees and 
bushes a few feet from the ground, made largely of strips of fine bark and 
pine needles, lined with fine roots, hair, and a few feathers. Eggs : usu- 
ally 4, generally olive white or greenish, sparsely spotted and dotted with 
black, brown, and lilac gray. 

Food. — Similar to that of the yellow-rumped warbler. 

The Audubon warbler in its dull, streaked winter dress is a com- 
mon winter bird in the warm valleys of the west, and one of the 
commonest in the San Francisco parks. Its flight and all its move- 
ments seem to be regulated by gnats, its days one continuous hunt 
for dinner. "When insects are scarce it will fly hesitatingly through 
the air looking this way and that, its yellow rump spot always 
in evidence, but when it comes to an invisible gauzy-winged throng 
it zigzags through, snapping them up as it goes ; then, perhaps, 
closing its wings it tumbles down to a bush, catches itself, and 
races pellmell after another insect that has caught its eye. In the 
parks it is especially fond of the palm tops frequented by the golden- 
crowned sparrows, and dashes around them in its mad helter-skelter 
fashion. The most straight-laced, conventional thing it ever does is 
to make flycatcher sallies from a post of observation when it has 
caught its insect. If it actually sits still a moment with wings hang- 
ing at its sides, its head is turning alertly, its bright eyes keen for 
action, and while you look it dashes away with a nervous quip' into 
midair, in hot pursuit of its prey. 

Auduboni is so preoccupied with its hunting that it pays little 
heed to observers. At Stanford, in December, when the birds were 
common, one has flown in from the rosebushes to the piazza rail near 
me, looked around for a moment, and then ignoring my presence 
flown down to the floor and gone hopping jauntily about in the 
shadow of the vines looking for insects. 

When spring comes these warblers are ofE to the mountains, for 
they are true Canadian zone birds. In July we have met them near 



WOOD WARBI.ERS 415 

the crest of the Sierra in full plumage and full song. There is little 
to suggest the dull, streaked bird of winter in this warbler, whose 
handsome yellow pointed plumage makes such a brilliant showing 
agaiust the dark green of the firs. 

His song is of a strong warbler type, opening toward the end, 
cliwee, cMcee-chwee-ah, chwee, between the song of the yellow war- 
bler and that of the junco. 

By the third week in July we saw the Audubons feeding a trailing 
family of streaked young in the fir tops, the abstracted chase for 
insects going on more strenuously than ever. 

656.1. Dendroica nigrifrons iJrewsf. Black-fronted Warbler. 

Like auduboni, but larger and darker ; adult summer male with fore- 
head, sides of crown, and cheeks mainly black instead of gray ; back black 
with feathers edged with bluish gray ; under parts more solidly black ; 
winter male with less black on upper parts, forehead only streaked with 
black, bluish gray of upper parts with little if any brown, black of under 
parts with only narrow whitish tips to feathers ; adult female more heavily 
streaked on darker ground ; young more heavily streaked with dusky. 
Male : length (skins) 5.00-5.55, wing 8.05-3.31, tail 2.28-2.53, bill .37- 
.38. Female : length (skins) 5.00-5.10, wing 2.97-3.04, tail 2.26-2.35, bill 
.35-.38. 

Distribution. — From Huaehuca and Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, 
south to northwestern Mexico. 

657. Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.). Magnolia Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Under parts bright yellow, strikingly 
marked by black necklace and black streaking down breast; top of head 
and hind neck plain gray, sides of head and back black ; 
rump yellow, partly streaked with black and sometimes 
partly olive green ; upper tail coverts, wings, and tail 
black ; wings with conspicuous white patch and tail with 
subterminal band of ivhite. Adult male in fall and win- 
ter: crown and hind neck brownish gray, back and j,. go. 
scapulars olive green, feathers with mostly concealed 
black centers ; wing patch replaced by two narrow wing bars ; chest with- 
out black streaks or spots. Adult female : duller ; back mainly olive 
green ; wing with two white bands ; streaks on under parts narrower. 
Young male in first fall and winter : chest with broad grayish or whitish 
band. Young female infrstfall or winter: like young male, but smaller 
and much duller, crown browner, back without concealed black markings, 
white of tail restricted, flanks indistinctly streaked. Male : length (skins) 
4.13-4.65, wing 2.24-2.52, tail 1.86-2.04, bill .34-.49. Female: length 
(skms) 4.25-4.41, wing 2.14-2.28, tail 1.81-1.91, bill .35. 

Remarks. — The white subterminal tail band is enough to distinguish the 
magnolia warbler in any plumage. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone in eastern North America, west to 
the Rocky Mountains ; from Hudson Bay south to northern parts of New 
England and Michigan and southward in the AUeghanies ; casually to Cali- 
fornia ; winters in Cuba, the Bahamas, and south through Mexico to Pan- 
ama ; accidental in Greenland. 

Nest. — Largely of fine twigs, grass, and weed stalks, lined with fine 




416 WOOD WARBLERS 

black rootlets ; placed in small spruces and hemlocks, 3 to 35 feet from 
the ground. Eggs: 4 or 5, creamy, blotched or spotted with lilac and 
shades of brown. 
Food. — Insects. 

The haudsome magnolia warbler is a rare migrant in Colorado, 
but whenever seen may be recognized as it goes about with wings 
drooping and tail spread enough to show its black terminal tail band. 

658. Dendroiea rara (TFiVs.). Cekulban Warbler. 

Adult male. — Upper parts light grayish blue, crown bordered by two 
blackish stripes ; back streaked with black ; wings and tail black with gray- 
ish blue edgings, wings with two clear white bands ; tail feathers broadly 
spotted with white ; under parts white, with narrow bluish throat band and 
bluish streaking along sides. Adult female : upper parts from light bluish 
gray to grayish olive green ; superciliary stripe, if present, pale greenish 
yellow like under parts ; wings and tail as in male, but edgings greenish 
instead of bluish. Fall and winter adults : more highly colored. Young 
male in first autumn : like female, but whiter below and more bluish above. 
Young male, nestling plumage : upper parts gray, crown with median 
stripe, and dark postocular stripe ; sides of head and under parts white. 
Male : length (skins) 4.05-4.55, wing 2.44-2.66, tail 1.70-1.88, bill .37-.40. 
Female : length (skins) 4.10-4.35, wing 2.29-2.47, tail 1.62-1.68, bill .39- 
.41. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran zone of the eastern central 
United States and Canada from Tennessee and Missouri to Michigan, 
western New York, and southern Ontario ; south in migration to western 
Texas, southern Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and 
rarely Cuba ; occasionally to Rocky Mountains. 

Nest. — In trees in high deciduous woods, 20-50 feet or more from the 
ground ; compact, cup-shaped, composed largely of plant fibers, strips of 
fine bark, and spider web. Fggs : usually 3 or 4, white or dull greenish 
or bluish white, speckled with brown, chiefly around the larger end. 

Food. — Insects. 

659. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.). Chestnut-sided War- 

bler. 
Adult male. — Crown yellow, bordered with black ; sides of head and 
neck and under parts white ; sides with broad stripe of chest- 
nut ; back striped with black and olive, mixed with yellowish. 
Adult female : like male, but duller, upper parts greener, 
black markings on head indistinct, and chestnut restricted. 
Young in first autumn : upper parts bright olive green ; wing 
Fig. 525. bars yellowish ; sides of head and body ash gray ; median 
under parts white. Length: 4.60-5.25, wing 2.40-2.65, tail 1.95-2.10. 

Distribution. — Eastern United States and southern Canada, west to 
Manitoba and the Plains, accidentally to Cheyenne ; south in winter to the 
Bahamas, eastern Mexico, Ceirtral America, and Panama. 

Nest. — In small trees or undergrowth near clearings, loosely woven of 
stems, grasses, and plant fibers, lined with hairs. Fggs : usually 4, white 
or creamy, spotted with reddish brown and lilac, thickest around the larger 
end. 

661. Dendroica striata (Forst.). Black-poll Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Crown black, rest of upper parts 





WOOD WARBLERS 417 

olive, gray, or brown, streaked with black except sometimes on rump ; -wings 
and tail dusky, wings with two white bands and greenish edgings ; inner 
webs o£ two or three outer tail feathers with subterminal 
white patches ; under parts white, chin usually black and 
sides heavily streaked with black. Adult female in spy-ijig and 
summer : similar, but upper parts dull olive green, streaked 
with black ; wing bars tinged with yellow ; under parts washed 
with pale yellowish, sides streaked with dusky. Adult male 
in fall and winter: upper parts olive green shading to gray 
on upper tail coverts ; back and scapulars, sometimes crown 
and rump, streaked with black ; wing bars usually tinged with yellow ; 
superciliary olive yellowish ; throat, breast, and sides yellowish ; sides and 
flanks indistinctly streaked ; belly white. Young in frst fall and winter : 
like adult fall male, but under parts yellow except on under tail coverts ; 
upper tail coverts olive green instead of gray, back less distinctly streaked. 
Young, first plumage : upper parts light grayish brown, streaked with black 
except on rump, which is barred or mottled with black ; under parts whitish, 
tinged Avith olive yellow in front, and mottled Avith dusky ; wings and tail as 
in winter birds. Male : length (skins) 4.65-5.51, wing 2.81-o.05,tail 1.91-2.13. 
Female: length (skins) 4.53-5.00, wing 2.72-2.95, tail 1.77-2.01, bill .35-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds from northern New England and the Catskill 
Mountains west to the Rocky Mountains and north to Hudson Bay and 
Alaska ; migrates west to New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana, and south 
to northern South America; through West Indies ; not recorded from Mex- 
ico or Central America ; accidental in Greenland. 

Nest. — On lower branches of coniferous trees, in the north often on the 
ground ; bulky, warmly lined with feathers. Eggs : usually 4, white, 
creamy, or buffy, spotted or blotched, often wreathed with brown and lilac 
gray. 

Food. — Insects. 

The eastern black-poll, Prof. Cooke says, comes regularly, but in 
small numbers, west to the Rocky Mountains, occasionally being 
common during migrations both on the plains and at the base of 
the foothills. There is one breeding record for Seven Lakes, near 
Manitou, Colorado, at an altitude of 11,000 feet. 

662. Dendroica blaekburnise (Gmel.). Blackburnian War- 
bler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Throat brillant orange yellow ; rest 
of under parts pale yellowish ; sides streaked with black ; 
crown black with yellow or orange patch ; superciliary yel- 
low or orange ; rest of upper parts black, streaked with white 
on back ; wings with broad white patch ; tail with three outer 
feathers white except shafts and tips. Adult female : similar, ^ig- 527. 
but black replaced by olive brown, streaked ; orange replaced by yellow ; 
wings and tail duller, white markings restricted. Young male in first fall 
and winter : like adult female, but without yellow spot on crown ; yellow 
of throat and chest paler. Young female in first fall and winter : similar 
to adult female, but upper parts browner, streaks less distinct ; white 
markings restricted ; under parts buffy ; throat sometimes pale buffy ; 
streaks on sides dull brownish. Young, first plumage : upper parts brown, 
middle of crown lighter ; back and rump indistinctly streaked ; supercil- 
iary stripe and throat pale buffy; chest darker, faintly spotted; rest of 




418 WOOD WARBLERS 

under parts white, sides spotted ; wing- and tail as in fall birds, but wing 
bars brownish buff. Male : length (skins) 4.40-4.70, wing 2.57-2.73, tail 
1.83-1.94, bill .37-.41. Female : length (skins) 4.25-4.60, wing 2.48-2.58, 
tail 1.82-1.87, bill .38. 

Bemarks. — The young may be distinguished by huffy superciliary and 
throat. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Transition zones of the southern 
British Provinces, northeastern United States, and mountain regions south ; 
casually to Utah, western Texas, and New Mexico ; migrates to the Ba- 
hamas, and through eastern Mexico to South America; accidental in 
Greenland. 

Nest. — In evergreen trees, bulky, composed of downy materials, espe- 
cially cat-tail down, lined with fine lichens, and horsehairs. Fggs : 4 or 5, 
greenish white or pale bluish green, speckled or spotted chiefly on or 
around larger end with brown, reddish brown, or lilac gray. 

Food. — Largely winged insects. 

664. Dendroica gracise Baird. Grace Warblek. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Superciliary., spot on lower lid, throat 
and chest bright yellow ; rest of under parts white, streaked with black ; 
upper parts including ear coverts and sides of neck ash gray ; crown and 
back narrowly streaked with black ; wings with two white bands ; two 
outer tail feathers largely white on inner webs. Adult female in spring and 
summer : like male, but duller, gray of upper parts tinged with brown, 
black streaks indistinct, wing bars narrower, yellow paler, white of under 
parts duller. Adult male in fall and winter : upper parts slightly tinged 
with brown, streakings on back more or less concealed ; under parts 
brownish huffy. Adult female in fall and winter : like winter male, but 
washed with olive brown above, wing bars brownish buff, and white of 
under parts strongly huffy. Young male in first fall and winter : upper 
parts strongly tinged with brown, black streaks on back concealed, and 
flanks strongly brownish buff. Young female in first fall and winter : colors 
duller, streaking indistinct or obsolete. Male : length (skins) 4.33-4.60, 
wing 2.52-2.60, tail 1.85-1.97, bill .39. Female : length (skins) 4.45-4.53, 
wing 2.37-2.44, tail 1.81-1.85, bill .39. 

Distribution. — Southwestern United States and adjacent parts of north- 
western Mexico, breeding from Colorado to Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico ; 
casual in southern California. 

Nest. — By two specimens, in pines, 50 to 60 feet from the ground, 
made of vegetable fibers, straws, and horsehair ; also, in one case, strings, 
oak catkins, bud scales, wool, vegetable down, and insect webbing. Fggs : 
3 or 4, white, lightly spotted with reddish brown. 

The Grace warblers are birds of the coniferous forests of the south- 
western mountains. In the Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, we met 
a small flock of them passing through the pines at about 8000 feet. 

665. Dendroica nigreseens (Towns.). Black-throated Gray 

Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Whole head, throat, and chest black, 
except for white streaks on side of head and along throat, and bright yellow 
spot over lores ; breast and belly pure white : sides streaked with black ; 
back gray, more or less streaked with black ; wings with two white bars ; 
tail with inner webs of two outer feathers mainly white. Adult female 
in spring and summer : similar, but colors duller ; crown usually gray. 




WOOD WARBLERS 419 

streaked with black ; black of throat largely mixed with white. Adult male 
in fall and winter : like summer male, but gray of upper parts tinged with 
brown, and black markings restricted, some- 
times nearly obsolete. Adult female in fall 
and winter : like summer male, but plumag-e 
softer and streaks on back and upper tail 
coverts obsolete or wanting. Young male in 
first fall and winter : like adult winter male, 
but gray of upper parts browner ; crown 
brownish g'ray except on front and sides ; 
streaks on back and upper tail coverts ob- 
solete or concealed ; black of throat with 
white tips to feathers ; white of under parts ^i° • ^^^^ Black-throated Gray 
tinged with yellowish. Young female in first 

fall and winter : entire upper parts brownish g'ray, crown bordered with 
dusky ; white of under parts strongly tinged with brown. Male : length 
(skins) 4.13-4.65, wing 2.35-2.62, tail 1.92-2.17, bill .32-.3S. Female: 
length (skins) 4.21-4.80, wing 2.13-2.47, tail 1.85-2.01, bill .33-.38. 

Remarks. — The yellow spot over lores is diagnostic. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
British Columbia to Lower California and southern Arizona, and from 
Colorado to the Pacific coast ; migrates to southern Mexico. 

Nest. — Low down in dense thickets of scrub oak, or high up in pines, 
compact, cup-shaped, like that of D. cestiva, made of gray plant fibers, 
lined with feathers. Eggs : 3 or 4, white, tinged with pink or cream, 
spotted on or around larger end with reddish brown and lilac gray, 
usually mixed with a few darker specks. 

Food. — Frequently green caterpillars. 

The quiet little black-throated gray warbler is a restful contrast to 
the whirligig of perpetual motion, the omnipresent Audubon warbler 
of the Sierra Nevada. It seems to be especially a bird of Transition 
low growth, such as scrub oaks, pinons, junipers, and manzanitas. 

Along the North Fork of the Yuba River in the Sierra we found 
it singing in the bushes along the road, and in the junipers on a 
hillside near camp. Its song is a simple warbler lay, zee-ee-zee-ee, 
ze, ze, ze, with the quiet woodsy quality of mrens and ccerulescens, 
so soothing to the ear. 

666. Dendroica chrysoparia Sd. Sr Salv. Golden-cheeked 

Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Upper parts and throat black, upper 

parts sometimes tinged with olive green ; 

sides of head bright yellow, interrupted by 

narrow black streak through eye; forehead 

usually with yellow spot or streak ; breast 

and belly white, sides streaked with black ; 

wings and tail black, wings with two white 

bands and tail with three outer pairs of 

feathers with inner web largely white. 

Adult female in spring and summer : like „. cnr* ~~ 

1 u i. i. V Fig. 529. 

summer male, but upper parts olive green, 

indistinctly streaked ; throat yellowish, black showing through ; wings 




420 WOOD WARBLERS 

and tail duller, wing bands narrower. Adult male in fall and winter: 
like summer male, but feathers of black throat patch edged with white or 
yellowish. Young male in first fall and winter : like adult fall male, but 
upper parts streaked with olive green and black, upper tail coverts edged 
with olive green and gray, wings and tail duller, wing bars with black 
shaft streaks. Young female in first fall and winter : like adult female, 
but upper parts plain olive green, or indistinctly streaked ; throat and 
chest grayish, throat tinged with yellow ; sides and flanks indistinctly 
streaked with dusky. Young^ first plumage : upper parts grayish brown 
or brownish gray; sides of head, throat, chest, and sides pale brownish 
gray ; rest of under parts whitish, breast indistinctly streaked ; wings and 
tail like adults, but wing coverts with dark mesial wedge-shaped marks. 
Male: length (skins) 4.61-4.84, wing 2.45-2.58, tail 2.04-2.15, bill .36- 
.40. Female : length (skins) 4.57-4.92, wing 2.28-2.43, tail 1.87-2.05, bill 
.38-.42. • ■ ^ 

Remarks. — The black eye line through the bright yellow cheeks marks 
both sexes of the golden-cheeked warbler. 

Distribution. — From western, central, and southern Texas south to 
Guatemala. 

Nest. — Usually in red cedars, 10 to 20 feet from the ground, between 
upright branches ; made of strips of inner cedar bark fastened with web 
and lined with hair and feathers. .Eggs : 3 or 4, white, spotted with red- 
dish brown, sometimes mixed with lavender. 

The golden-cheeked warbler is said to be common among the juni- 
pers or 'cedar brakes/ as they are called locally, in central Texas. 
It is said to be always on the alert for insects, hunting over the 
branches and occasionally darting out for a passing insect. The 
song of the male is given as tserr iceasy-weasy tweah. 

667. Dendroica virens (Gmel). Black-throated Green War- 
bler. 
Adult male in spring and summer. — Throa,t and chest black, sides 
streaked with black ; rest of under parts white or yellowish 
white ; forehead sometimes with yellow spot ; sides of head 
bright yellow, olive streak through eye; upper parts bright olive 
green ; back sometimes narrowly streaked with black ; wings 
with two white bars, tail with inner webs of two outer feath- 
Fig. 530. ers mainly white. Adult female in spring and sumnier : similar 
to male, but black of throat and chest obscured by yellowish, and whitish 
tips to feathers. Young male in first fall and winter : like adult female, 
but olive green of upper parts and yellow of sides of head brighter, and 
under parts yellower. Male : length (skins) 4.33-4.72, wing 2.40-2.52, 
tail 1.77-1.93, bill .35-.39. Female: length (skins) 4.10-4.53, wing 2.28- 
2.40, tail 1.77-1.85, bill .35-.43. 

Remarks. — The bright olive green upper parts and whitish belly dis- 
tinguish virens in all plumages. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones from Hudson 
Bay to northern Illinois and Connecticut, and along the Alleghanies south 
to South Carolina ; migrates to Cuba and through western Texas and 
Mexico to Central America and Panama. 

Nest. — In coniferous trees, usually at considerable height, made of strips 
of bark, plant stems, leaves, twigs, and feathers, lined with hair and plant 
down. Eggs : usually 4, white or creamy, spotted with reddish brown and 
lilac gray, mixed with a few darker specks. 

Food. — Largely leaf worms, spiders, beetles, and flies. 




WOOD WARBLERS 



421 




668. Dendroica townsendi (Towns.). Townsbnd Warblek. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Head and throat black, except for 
bright yellow superciliary and malar streak 
bordering- throat ; breast bright yellow fading- 
to white on middle o£ belly ; sides streaked 
with black ; back bright olive green, with 
black arrow-point streaks ; wings and tail 
blackish, wing with two white bars, tail with 
inner webs of three lateral feathers white at 
ends. Adult female in spring and summer : 
like winter male, but black streaking of 
upper parts and sides restricted or obsolete ; ^^' 

crown sometimes blackish ; throat often blotched with black. Adult male 
in fall and winter : like summer male, but black obscured ; crown and hind 
neck with olive green edges to feathers ; cheek patch with olive green tips 
to feathers ; throat lemon yellow ; chest and sides spotted with black. 
Adult female in fall and winter : like summer female, but upper parts 
slightly brownish, streaks indistinct ; sides and flanks brownish. Young 
male in first fall and winter : like adult winter male, but streaks on crown 
and back obsolete, and yellow of throat paler. Youjig female in first fall 
and winter : like adult fall female, but yellow paler, and markings less 
distinct. Male: length (skins) 4.21-4.80, wing 2.56-2.72, tail 1.89-2.01, 
bill .32-.35. Female: length (skins) 4.25-4.92, wing 2.48-2.60, tail 1.93- 
1.97, bill .32-.39. 

Remarks. — The wide band of black or olive on the sides of the head, 
green back and bright yellow breast, are enough to distinguish townsendi 
in any plumage. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Boreal zones in western North 
America, from Yukon valley to Oregon, and east to Montana ; migrates to 
Colorado, western Texas, and south to Guatemala ; accidental in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Nest. — Attributed to townsendi by Bendire, in willows, about 4 feet 
from the ground, made of rotten plant fibers and roots, lined with rootlets, 
hair, and plant down. Eggs: 3, pinkish white, spotted mainly about the 
larger end with brown, lavender, and dark amber. 

The Townsend warbler is a difficult bird to study, as it affects the 
tops of lofty firs and spruces, hurrying from one to the other in 
what may well appear unseemly haste to the observer below. 

Dr. Merrill ascribes to it a mrens-Wke drawled dee' -dee' -dee -de de. 



669. Dendroica OCCidentalis (Towns.). Hermit Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Top and sides of head bright yellow, 
crown spotted with black, occiput usually mainly or wholly black ; throat 
black ; rest of under parts white, some- 
times streaked on sides ; hind neck streaked 
black and olive green ; rest of upper parts 
gray, tinged with olive green and streaked 
with black ; wings and tail black, wings 
crossed by two white bands ; tail with two 
outer pairs of feathers largely white. Adult 
female in spring and summer: like winter 
male, but forehead and crown largely yel- 
low ; streaks on back restricted ; body less 
brownish ; throat and chest often with 




Fig. 532. 



422 WOOD WARBLERS 

dusky patch. Adult male in fall and winter : like summer male, but yel- 
low of crown and occiput obscured by olive tips to feathers, black streaks 
of back obscured by grayish edges to feathers, and black throat patch 
with whitish tips. Adult female in fall and winter : upper parts plain 
grayish olive, crown with traces of yellow; under parts brownish white, 
throat and chest with feathers dusky below the surface. Young male in 
first fall and winter : like adult fall male, but crown olive green, back 
more olive, streaking concealed or obsolete ; sides of head paler yellow 
washed with olive ; throat and chest whitish or yellowish, feathers black 
under the surface ; rest of under parts soiled white ; sides and flanks 
tinged with olive brown. Male : length (skins) 4.41-4.80, wing 2.48-2.72, 
tail 1.93-2.05, bill .3T-.43. Female : length (skins) 4.37-4.72, wing 2.44- 
2.48, tail 1.83-2.01, bill .35-.39. 

Remarks. — The adult males of this group of warblers may be distin- 
guished by the color pattern of the side of tlie head. In the hermit it is 
plain yellow ; in the black-throated green, crossed by an olive eye streak ; 
in the yellow-cheeked, by a narrow black streak ; and in the Townsend 
by a wide black band between superciliary and malar streaks. 

Distribution. — Breeds in high mountains from British Columbia to Cali- 
fornia, and from the Pacific coast district of the United States to the 
Rocky Mountains ; migrates to Lower California, Mexico, and Guatemala. 

Nest, — In coniferous trees, made of weed stems and pine needles, bound 
by cobwebs and woolly materials, and lined with strips of cedar bark. 
£ggs : dull white or grayish, spotted or blotched with lilac gray or browns, 
chiefly around larger end. 

"The hermit warbler is a frequenter of the conifers, although it 
feeds in the bushes and black oaks in common with other species. 
Its song is different from that of any other Sierra warbler, and seems 
well represented by the words zeegle-zeegle-zeegle-zeek, which I borrow 
from Mr. Bowles, of Waldo, Oregon. At close range the song of 
the hermit warbler appears weak rather than otherwise, yet at Fyffe 
I was impressed with its penetration. The bird will often mount to 
the higher branches of the conifers by successive hops, much after 
the manner of the blue-fronted jay." (Barlow.) 

672. Dendroica palmarum (Gmel). Palm Warbler. 

Adults in summer. — Crown chestnut, bordered by yellow superciliary ; 
back olive or brown, narrowly streaked with darker and becoming olive 
green on rump and upper tail coverts ; two outer tail feathers with large 
terminal spots of white ; throat, breast, and under tail coverts light yellow ; 
chest, and sometimes sides of throat, more or less streaked ; belly whitish, 
more or less mixed with yellowish. Adults in winter : chestnut of crown 
obscured or concealed ; throat and chest whitish instead of yellowish. 
Young in first fall and winter : similar, but upper parts browner, supercil- 
iary less distinct, and markings of under parts more suffused. Length : 
4.50-5.50, wing 2.52, tail 2.24. 

Distribution. — Interior of North America, north to Fort Churchill, 
Hudson Bay, and Great Slave Lake ; migrates through the Mississippi 
valley, wintering in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, the West Indies, 
and eastern Mexico ; accidental at Denver, Colorado, and on the Pacific 
coast, California. 

Nest. — On the ground, made of grass, strips of bark, and moss, lined 




WOOD WARBLERS 423 

with down and feathers. Eggs: yellowish or creamy white, spotted 
chiefly around the larger end with brown and purple. 

GENUS SEIUKUS. 

General Characters. — Bill with rictal bristles short, but evident ; wings 
pointed, much longer than tail ; tail nearly even ; tarsus longer than mid- 
dle toe and claw. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Crown with orange brown patch inclosed by blackish stripes. 

aurocapillus, p. 423. 
1'. Crown plain brown like back notabilis, p. 423. 

674. Seiurus aurocapillus {Linn.). Oven-bird. 

Adults. — Crown with orange brown patch bordered by two blackish stripes ; 
rest of upper parts olive green ; under parts white, streaked 
with blackish across breast and on sides. In winter, colors 
rather brighter. Young : crown without stripes, back deep 
brown, narrowly streaked with blackish ; under parts strong 
buffy, with narrow lines of blackish. Male : length (skins) 
5.00-5.65, wing 2.79-3.11, tail 2.05-2.28, bill .44-.49. Fe^ y,. ^.:^ 
male: length (skins) 4.90-5.45, wing 2.75-3.11, tail 1.96- ■^»^-»'^'^- 
2.34, bill .4.5-.47. 

Distribution. — Breeds in eastern North America northwest to Alaska 
and from the Arctic Circle to Virginia and southern Kansas ; west to the 
base of the Rocky Mountains ; winters in southern Florida, the West Indies, 
and southern Mexico to Panama. 

Nest. — In dry woods imbedded in ground, made of dry leaves usually 
roofed over, the entrance on one side. JEggs : 3 to 6, white or creamy, 
spotted with reddish brown and lilac gray. 

675a. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Bidgw.). Grin- 
NELL Water-thrush. 

Adults. — Upper parts sooty olive brown ; superciliary dingy white ; 
stripe through eye dark brown ; under parts usually Avhite with little if 
any yellow tinge ; throat finely, and breast and 
sides broadly streaked with blackish. Young : 
like adults, but streaks on under parts less dis- 
tinct, and feathers of upper parts tipped with 
light fulvous, producing a spotted appearance. '^' 

Male: length (skins) 5.14-5.84, wing 2.90-3.20, tail 2.00-2.25, bill .49-.63. 
Female : length (skins) 5.01-5.99, wing 2.88-8.11, tail 1.92-2.28, bill .48-.56. 

Distribution. — From Alaska and British America (Fort Churchill) south 
to Mexico, and from Illinois west to the Pacific coast ; winters from the 
soiithern border of the United States south to Lower California, Mexico, 
and northern South America. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, in wet woods or on borders of swamps ; 
made of moss and grass, sometimes lined with fur. Eggs : 3 to 6, white, 
spotted with reddish brown and lilac gray. 

The Grinnell water-thrush, like the other water-thrushes, is a soli- 
tary bird walking quietly over the banks of forest brooks or wading 
in their shallows tilting its tail like a pipit. When its emotions are 
stirred, it bursts forth into a loud musical song. 




424 WOOD WARBLERS 



GENUS GEOTHLYPIS. 



General Characters. — Bill slender, its greatest depth less than half the 
distance from nostril to tip ; tail rounded or graduated, or with basal two 
thirds hidden bj^ coverts. 

KEY TO ADULT SPRING MALES. 

1. Head, neck, and chest graj'. 

2. Lores black ; a distinct white spot on each eyelid. Western. 

tolmiei, p. 424. 
2'. Lores not black ; a continuous white orbital ring". Eastern. 

agilis, p. 424. 
r. Head, neck, and chest mainly yellow ; sides of head black. 

2. Bill slender, its greatest depth much less than half its length fronu 
nostril. 
3. Larger, with wider frontal band . . . occideiltalis, p. 425. 
3'. Smaller, with narrower frontal band. Pacific coast region. 

arizela, p. 426. 

2'. Bill very stout, its greatest depth much more than half its length 

from nostril. Rio Grande Valley, Texas . . . ralphi, p. 426. 

Subgenus Oporornis. 

Wings pointed, longer than tail ; tail nearly even, more than basal half 
concealed by coverts. 

678. Geothlypis agilis {Wils.). Connecticut Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Head, neck, and chest ash gray ; 
eye with conspicuous white ring ; gray of chest sharply contrasting with 
yellow of under parts ; sides and flanks olive green ; back dark olive green. 
Adult female in spring and summer : similar, but top of head uniform with 
back ; throat and breast brownish. Adult male in fall and winter : like 
summer male, but gray of forehead and crown tinged with brown, and 
feathers of throat and chest tipped with paler. Young male in first fall 
and winter : like adult female, but crown brownish olive, and chest darker, 
more olivaceous. Young female in first fall and vnnter : like young male, 
but smaller, and with throat and chest more strongly tinged with brownish 
buffy. Male: length (skins) 5.00-5.42, wing 2.79-2.97, tail 1.84-2.08, bill 
.45-.49. Female : length (skins) 4.80-5.81, wing 2.65-2.83, tail 1.84-1.94, 
bill .46-.47. 

Distribution. — Eastern North America, breeding in Manitoba and Onta- 
rio ; migrating to northern South America ; accidental in Colorado. 

Nest. — On ground in swampy woods ; very compact. Eggs : 4, white or 
creamy, spotted with lilac gray and shades of brown. 

Subgenus Geothlypis. 
Wings short and much rounded ; tail rounded. 

680. Geothlypis tolmiei (Towns.). Macgillivray Warbler. 

Adult male in spring and summer. — Head, throat, and breast slate gray ; 
throat feathers edged with ash; rest of under parts yellow; lores deep 
black ; eyelids with distinct white spots ; back olive green, sometimes 
tinged with gray. Adult female in spring and summer : like adult male, 
but crown, hind neck, and sides of head and neck mouse gray, fading to 
pale grayish or grayish white on throat and breast. Adult male in fall 



WOOD WARBLERS 



425 



and winter : like summer male, but feathers of crown and hind neck tipped 

with brown and light edges of feathers on 

throat and chest broader, sometimes almost 

concealing black centers. Adult female in 

fall and icinter : like summer female, but 

plumage softer, and sides of throat and chest 

more grayish. Young female in frst autumn: 

like fall adult female, but crown and hind 

neck like back instead of gray, throat and 

chest yellowish instead of grayish ; marks on 

eyelids yellowish, and streak over lores pale 

yellow. Male: length (skins) 4.67-5.44, 

wing 2.34-2.56, tail 2.08-2.48, bill .43-.46. 

i^ewza/e; length (skins) 4.63-5.04, wing 2.15- _,. ^^_ ,_ .,,. ^ ,, 

2.36, tail 1.91-2.28. bill .42-.4S. Fig. 535. MacgUhvray Warbler. 

Distribution. — Breeds in British Columbia and western United States, 
from the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast 
ranges • winters in Lower California and Mexico, and from Central Amer- 
ica to Colombia. 

Nest. — Near ground in clumps of weeds or bushes, often in open places 
in mountains, made of dried grasses lined with finer grass, and sometimes 
horsehair. Eggs : 3, white or buffy, speckled on larger end with dark 
brown and lilac gray, with a few pen lines and rusty stains. 




The Macgillivray warbler is one of the commonest of w^estern war- 
blers, frequenting chaparral and underbrush especially near water, 
from the lower levels to the high mountains, and the appearance of 
a little gray head peering out shyly from the bushes becomes a pleas- 
antly familiar mountain sight. 



681a. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewst. Western 
Yellow-throat.i 
Adult male. — Forehead and sides of head black, bordered above with 
white, sometimes tinged with yellow ; rest of upper parts plain olive 
green ; under parts deep yellow. In win- 
ter, washed with brown. Adult female : 
without black, ashy, or white ; upper parts 
olive brown, often tinged with reddish 
brown on crown, greenish on tail ; under 
parts pale yellowish or yellowish white. 
Young male in frst winter : like adult, but 
black mask less distinct. Male : length 
(skins) 4.53-5.00, wing 2.17-2.36, tail 2.01- 
2.22, bill .43-.47. Female : length (skins) 
4.33-4.76, wing 2.05-2.15, tail 1.93-2.09, 
bill .41-.43. ^''g• 536. 




* Geothlypis trichas scirpicola Grimiell. Tule Yellow-throat. 

Like occidentalis, but brighter colored and larger, with longer tail. 

Distribution. — Resident in fresh water tule beds along coast of southern California. 
{The Condor, iii. 65.) 

Geothlypis trichas sinuosa Grinnell. Salt Marsh Yellow-throat. 

Like occidentalis, but smaller, and back and sides darker. 

Distribution. — Resident about salt marshes of San Francisco Bay and vicinity. {The 
Condor, iii. 65.) 



426 WOOD WARBLERS 

Distribution. — Breeds from British Columbia to Arizona, and from the 
Mississippi Valley to the Sierra Nevada and Cascades ; migrates to Central 
America. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, supported by weed or sedge stalks, 
deeply cup shaped, usually with a thick foundation of grass or leaves, some- 
times lined with hair. Eggs : often 4, white, finely speckled on larger end 
with dark brown and black, sometimes with a few larger spots or lines. 

The yellow -throats are found in damp brushy thickets, swampy 
patches of rank vegetable growths, and tule marshes. As they 
clamber over the stalks the little yellow birds stop to raise their odd 
black-masked heads, and sing out a loud penetrating, ringing wreech- 
ity, wreech-ity, wreecli-ity, wreec7i-ity , which varies greatly with the 
individual. In addition to this ordinary song they have an impas- 
sioned love-song which they give in air with something of the excited 
posturing of the chat. 

The songs of the males are as conspicuous as their coats, and they 
look out from their thickets upon passers-by with mild interest, but 
their mates, with only the family chack and plain dull yellowish coats 
are timid little creatures, and if they accidentally come to the edge 
of their bush when you are by, slip back out of sight in a trice. 

681c. G. t. arizela Oherh. Pacific Yellow-throat. 

Similar to occidentalis, but smaller, and with smaller bill, shorter wing 
and tail, duller coloration, and white band on head narrower ; yellow of 
under parts less orange. Male: length (skins) 4.49-4.92, wing 2.07-2.28, 
tail 1.94-2.24, bill .39-.43. Female: length (skins) 4.25-4.72, wing 2.00- 
2.08, tail 1.89-1.97, bill .39. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region from British Columbia to northern 
Lower California, east to the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada ; south in 
winter through Lower California and western Mexico. 

Subgenus Chamaethlypis. 

682.1, Geothlypis poliocephala ralphi Ridgw. Rio Grande 
Yelloav-throat. 

Adult male. — Lores black; top of head bluish gray; rest of upper 
parts olive green, tinged with gray, especially on tail ; under parts yellow, 
becoming huffy whitish on belly and anal region. Male : length (skins) 
.^. 16-5. 63, wing 2.17-2.44, tail 2.20-2.64, bill .39-47. Female: length 
(skins) 5.00-5.3], wing 2.00-2.16, tail 2.17-2.36, bill .43-.47. 

Distribution. — Lower Rio Grande Valley, in Texas. 

GENUS ICTERIA. 

683a. Icteria virens longicauda (Xait^r.). Long-tailed Chat. 
Bill curved, stout, higher than broad at nostrils, without notch or bris- 
^ jp%^ ties ; wings much rounded ; tail long, feet 

./*s«L«Baa!^» stout ; outside of tarsus almost without 
scales ; tarsus decidedly longer than mid- 
dle toe with claw, its scutella indistinct or 
^^' obsolete on outer side. Adults: throat and 

breast vivid yellow ; belly white ; upper parts olive gray ; superciliary, 



WOOD WARBLERS 427 

orbital ring-, and malar stripe, white ; lores, and line under eye black. 
Young : upper parts olive ; lores gray instead of black ; throat whitish, 
chest, sides, and flanks grayish; rest of under parts white. Male : length 
(skins) 6.26-7.28, wing 2.95-3.31, tail 3.01-3.39, bill .53-.59. Female: 
length (skins) 6.38-6.97, wing 2.87-3.15, tail 2.83-3.23, bill .53-.59. 

Distribution. — Transition and Upper Sonoran zones, from British 
Columbia south to Lower California and northern Mexico, and from the 
Plains to the Pacific coast ; breeds south to Valley of Mexico ; United States 
birds mainly migrate to southern Mexico. 

Nest. — In briery thickets, made largely of dry leaves, strips of grape- 
vine bark, and grasses, lined with- finer grasses. Eggs : 3 to 5, white or 
pinkish, spotted with gray and shades of brown. 

Food. — Beetles and other insects, and berries. 

The chat's coming in the spring is like the arrival of a brass band. 
In Farmington, Utah, one May, when lie appeared be fairly per- 
vaded the village — that is, his voice did — bis yellow-fronted person 
was in sight just once, to my best knowledge. But as you went along 
the streets he fairly shouted in your ears — from inside dark thickets 
behind fences. And if you appeared in front of the bush on which 
he was singing, he would at once raise his voice from the next bush 
behind ! And so he would lead you through bush and briar, skulk- 
ing out of sight and crying as if consciously deriding your awkward 
attempts at intrusion, 8o.^ ho! tut -tut -tut-tut -tut -tut -ttit / One of 
his favorite amusements is to give a whistle, as if he were calling a 
dog and meant to be obeyed. When not whistling, or scolding like 
an oriole, calling like a cuckoo, or piping like a shrill-voiced rock 
squirrel, he will bark like a dog. 

The chat is not only moved to mock his neighbors, but performs 
in most remarkable manner in his own proper person — in air. Mr. 
Torrey gives a good description of chat antics. " I caught the fel- 
low," he says, "in the midst of a brilliant display of his clownish 
tricks, ridiculous, indescribable. At a little distance it is hard to 
believe that he can be a bird, that dancing, shapeless thing, bal- 
ancing itself in the air with dangling legs, and prancing, swaying 
motions." 

GENUS WILSONIA. 

General Characters. — Bill not more than half as long as head, broad 
and flattened at base ; rictal bristles distinct ; wings pointed, longer than 
tail ; tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe with claw. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Throat with black necklace; crown gray . . canadensis, p. 428. 
1'. Throat without black necklace ; crown black. 

2. Upper parts brighter green, forehead often orange. Great Basin to 

Pacific pileolata, p. 428. 

2'. Upper parts duller green, forehead always yellow. From higher 
Rocky Mountains northeast pusilla, p. 428. 




428 WOOD WARBLERS 

685. Wilsonia pusilla ( Wils.). Wilson Warbler. 

Similar to pileolata, but not so bright ; wings and tail shorter, bill broader 

and darker colored. Male : length (skins) 4.05-4.45, wing 2.09- 

2,64, tail 1.83-1.97, bill .28-35. Female: length (skins) 4.10- 

4.45, wing 2.05-2.17, tail 1.81-1.95, bill .31-.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Hudson Bay region south to 

Fig. 538. Maine ; migrates sometimes through the Rocky Mountain district 

to eastern Mexico. 

Nest. — Imbedded in ground in swampy woods, made of leaves and 
grasses, lined with finer grasses and hairs. Eggs : 4 or 5, white or creamy, 
speckled with reddish brown and purplish. 
Food. — Largely winged insects. 

685a. W. p. pileolata (Pall.). Pileolated Warbler.^ 

Adult male. — Crown glossy blue black ; back bright yellowish olive 
green ; under parts vivid yellow ; forehead often orange yellow. Adult 
female : similar, but crown patch often wanting. Young : like adult 
male, but black of crown nearly obscured by olive wash. Male : length 
(skins) 4.13-4.49, wing 2.17-2.36, tail 1.85-2.05, bill .28-.35. Female: 
length (skins) 4.13-4.57, wing 2.1.5-2.24, tail 1.87-1.97, bill .30-.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Great Basin to the Pacific, and north 
to Alaska, migrating through western Texas to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — In willow thickets and among blackberry vines, on or near the 
ground, made of willow leaves, weed stems, and grasses. Fggs : 2 to 4, 
creamy, spotted with reddish and lilac over entire surface or around lax'ger 
end. 

Seen in migration when the dainty pileolated warbler has plenty 
of leisure, his airy ways are peculiarly charming. He usually hunts 
in low bushes, and as he suddenly appears through a chink in the 
dull chaparral wall the intense brilliant yellow of the little beauty 
set off by his shining jet black crown gives you a thrill of surprise 
and delight. 

He is winningly trustful and will come close to you and with 
wings hanging turn his head and look up at you from under his 
jaunty cap, then whip along with a jerk of his tail. As he goes he 
stops to run up a twig, leans down to peck under a leaf, flutters 
under a spray like a hummingbird, and then flies off singing his 
happy song. 

On his breeding grounds in the mountain meadows when feeding 
young he has much to occupy his mind, and flies back and forth 
through his willow thicket in a preoccupied way, giving his flat 
chip and inspecting you with an anxious parental air in passing. 

686, Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.). Canadla.n Warbler. 

Adult male. — Under parts yellow ; throat bordered by black lines, and 

1 Wilsonia pusilla chryseola Ridgvvay. Golden Pileolated Waeblee. 

liike pileolata, but slightly smaller and much brighter colored. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast district of United States and British Columbia, breeding 
from British Columbia to southern California ; migrating to eastern Oregon, Arizona, 
Lower California, and northern Mexico. {Birds oj North and Middle America, ii. 714.) 




PILEOLATED WARBLER 




WOOD WARBLERS 429 

chest with necklace of black streaks; orbital ring- white or yellowish; 

crown black, feathers edged with gray ; rest of upper parts 

gray. Adult female and young in fall : similar, but black 

replaced by gray tinged with olive. Young female : chest 

markings sometimes obsolete. Young y first plumage : upper 

parts brownish, gray below the surface ; wings with two 

buffy bars ; sides of head, throat, and chest buffy brown ; 

rest of under parts yellow. Male: length (skins) 4.76-5.17, Fig. 539. 

wing 2.54-2.64, tail 2.15-2.26, bill .40-.44. Female: length Canadian War- 

(skins) 4.57-4.91, wing 2.38-2.54, tail 2.00-2.10, bill .39-.45. ^^^^^ ^ 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone of northeastern North America, 
from Lake Winnipeg, Hudson Bay, southern Labrador, and Newfoundland 
south to southern New England, Wisconsin, and the Alleghanies ; casually 
to Colorado ; winters from Mexico south to South America. 

Nest. — In clumps of weeds or tussocks of grass in swampy woods, made 
of leaves and lined with pine needles, rootlets, and horsehair. Eggs : 3 to 
5, white or buffy white, spotted around larger end with reddish brown and 
lilac, usually mixed with a few black specks or pen lines. 

GENUS SETOPHAGA. 

General Characters. — Bill about half as long as head, much depressed, 
broad at base, sharply ridged for basal half or more, straight, decurved at 
tip ; rictal bristles reaching beyond nostrils ; wings pointed, tail long and 
fan-shaped, with. broad flat feathers widening at ends; feet slender; tarsus 
with scutella distinct. 

KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts mainly white, with orange patches . . ruticilla. p. 429. 
1'. Under parts mainly dark rose red picta, p. 430. 

687. Setophaga ruticilla {Linn.). American Redstart. 

Adult male. — Black with bluish gloss, except for white belly and 
under tail coverts, and salmon or orange patches on sides of breast, 
wings, and tail. Adult female : black of male replaced by 
grayish olive, and orange by yellow. Immature male: similar 
to female, but smaller, browner, and color patches deeper ; 
after first winter plumage interspersed with black feathers. 
Immature female : like adult female, but gray more brownish, 
throat and chest tinged with brownish buff ; yellow of breast Tr"^^n 
less distinct, and that on wings partly or wholly concealed. °" 

Young, first plumage : upper parts grayish brown ; under parts grayish 
white, pale gray on chest ; breast without yellow ; wings and tail like 
older birds, but with two whitish or yellowish bands. Male : length 
(skins) 4.61-5.00, wing 2.40-2.64, tail 2.05-2.28, bill .28-.3o. Female: 
length (skins) 4.41-4.76, wing 2.28^2.60, tail 1.93-2.28. bill .31-.35. 

Distribution. — Breeds from British Columbia and Fort Simpson to the 
Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic west regularly to the Great Basin ; 
casually to California, Oregon, Arizona, and Lower California; winters 
in tKe West Indies, and from southern Mexico to northern South Amer- 
ica. 

Nest. — Cup-shaped, compact, made largely of plant fibers and strips of 
bark and web, 7 to 30 feet from the ground. Eggs : 3 to 5, white, green- 
ish or grayish, spotted chiefly around larger end with brown and lilac. 

Food. — Insects. 



W 



430 WOOD WARBLERS 

The American redstart is a bird of the open deciduous woods, 
building usually in saplings. It goes about its work with drooping 
wings, its long fan-tail opening and shutting to show its bright color 
patches as it flashes about tumbling through the air after insects. 
Of its two characteristic songs the longer one is hurried and accented 
at the end. 

688. Setophaga picta Swains. Painted Redstart. 

Adults. — Black, except for red belly and white of eyelid, wing- patch, under 
tail coverts, and outer tail feathers. Young, first plumage : upper parts sooty 
black ; wings and tail like adults, but white wing- patch tipped with buff ; 
under parts sooty gray, becoming white on middle of belly ; breast spotted 
or streaked with blackish. Male : leng-th (skins) 4.84-5.04, wing 2.68-2.95, 
tail 2.40-2.68, bill .31-.35. Female : length (skins) 4.92-5.32, wing 2.64- 
2.76, tail 2.36-2.54, biU .33-.35. 

Distribution. — From mountains of New Mexico and Arizona south to 
Mexico, Vera Cruz, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Guatemala, and Honduras. 

Nest. — In cavities in banks or among rocks, near water ; made of vege- 
table fibers and leaves, and lined with grass and hair. Eggs : 3 to 4, white, 
finely speckled with reddish brown and lilac. 

The red, white, and black painted redstarts frequent the evergreen 
oaks and the pines and alders of the mountain ranges of southern 
Arizona. They are usually found near springs and waterfalls. In 
motions they are typical redstarts, Mr. Hensbaw says, passing rapidly 
along the branches of trees with half-shut wings and outspread tail, 
now and then darting after a passing fly. Mr. H. O. Howard says 
they may be seen hopping about on mossy banks and stumps of large 
trees. 

GENUS CARDELLINA. 

690. Cardellina rubrifrons (Giraud). Red-faced Warbler. 

Bill not more than half as long as head, high at base, curved ; rictal 
bristles stiff ; wings long ; tail shorter than wings, nearly even ; feet small ; 
tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. 

Adults. — Throat, forehead, and stripe back to nape bright red ; crown 
black ; nuchal patch and rump white ; rest of upper parts gray ; under 
parts soiled whitish. Young in first fall and winter : duller, black re- 
placed by brown ; red paler ; white of under parts and nuchal patch tinged 
with buffy or salmon. Male : length (skins) 4.65-5.32, wing 2.58-2.78, tail 
2.24-2.40, bill .31-.35. Female : length (skins) 4.45-4.96, wing 2.48-2.76, 
tail 2.18-2.40, bill .29-.35. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona and New Mexico south to Guate- 
mala. 

Nest. — On the ground, under a vine or bunch of grass, or near a fallen 
log ; made largely of fine straws, rootlets, strips of bark, leaves, and hair. 
Eggs: 4, white, spotted with reddish brown over the entire shell, most 
thickly around the larger end. 

The red-faced warbler is found on the mountains in the southern 
parts of Arizona and New Mexico among the pines and spruces. Its 
habits, Mr. Henshaw says, combine those of the chickadees, red- 



WAGTAILS 431 

starts, and other warblers. Its favorite hunting places are the tips 
of spruce branches, over which it passes with a quick motion and a 
peculiar and constant sidewise jerk of the tail. Mr. Scott says it 
has a clear whistling song. 

FAMILY MOTACILLID.ffi : WAGTAILS. 

GENUS ANTHUS. 

General Characters. — Bill shorter than head, about as wide as high at 
base, compressed, acute, and notched at tip ; wings longer than tail. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Hind claw decidedly longer than toe spragueii, p. 432. 

1'. Hind claw about equal to toe pensilvanicus, p. 431. 

Subgenus Anfchus. 
697. Anthus pensilvanicus (Lath). Pipit. 

Hind claw about equal to toe. Adults in summer: upper parts gray- 
ish brown, indistinctly 
streaked ; wing blackish 
^_^_^ brown, with two buffy 

J,, g^j wing bars and light edg- 

ings ; tail blackish, inner 
web of outside feather largely white, second feather 
tipped with white ; superciliary stripe and under parts pjg 542 

light buffy, chin lighter, chest streaked with dusky. . 
Adults in winter : browner above, lighter below, streaks on breast usually 
broader. Young : similar, but washed with brown, and more distinctly 
streaked. Length : 6-7, wing 3.20-3.50, tail 2.65-2.85. 

Distribution. — North America at large, breeding in the higher parts of 
the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, and subarctic districts, wintering in the 
Gulf states, Nevada, California, Mexico, and Central America. 

Nest. — On ground, bulky and rather compact, made of dried mosses 
and grasses, lined with hair and feathers. Eggs : 4 to 6, nearly uniform 
brown from dense spotting. 

Food. — Small shells, crustaceans, insects, and small seeds. 

Flocks of these strange little northerners with demure garb, plain- 
tive voices, and the ways of wanderers are often met abroad in the 
land in spring and fall. In some parts of the dry country they are 
seen more generally in the seasons of heavy rainfall. They may be 
met in a ploughed vineyard, on a vacant city lot, or in the open 
country. If startled they rise from the ground showing their white 
tail feathers, with a wild cheep fly for a short distance, wheel, and 
return to their feeding ground. The earth usually matches their 
tints so well that it is difficult to see them, though their wagging 
heads and tilting tails help to catch the eye. 

In Colorado-the pipits nest above timberline at an altitude of from 
11,000 to 13,000 feet, and in August many of the birds wander to the 




432 



DIPPERS 




tops of the peaks at 14,000 feet. In the breeding season the males 
have a flight song similar to that of the oven-bird, often ascending a 
hundred feet singing as they go, and afterwards dropping almost 
straight to the ground. 

Subgenus Neocorys. 
700. Anthus spragueii (Aud.). Sprague Pipit. 

Hind toe and claw long-er than tarsus. Adults in summer : upper parts 
broadly streaked with blackish brown and grayish 
buff ; wings dusky, with pale edgings ; two outer 
pairs of tail feathers chiefly white ; outside pair 
sometimes wholly white ; under parts dull buffy 
white, more buffy across chest, where narrowly 
streaked with dusky. Adults in winter: browner 
above, more buffy below, and chest streaks broader. 
Young : upper parts brownish buff, broadly streaked 
with black ; feathers of back and scapulars tipped 
with buffy or whitish ; chin, throat, and sides of 
neck whitish, lower throat and sides of neck streaked with dusky; rest of 
under parts light buff; chest and sides of breast streaked with black. 
Length: 5.75-7.00, wing 8.20-3.40, tail 2.35-2.60. 

Distribution. — Breeds on the interior plains of North America from the 
Saskatchewan to Nebraska, and from the Red River west, probably, to the 
Rocky Mountains ; winters in Louisiana, Texas, and northern Mexico ; acci- 
dental in South Carolina. 

Nest. — Like that of A. pensilvanicus, but eggs pale purplish buffy or 
buffy white, thickly spotted with purplish brown. 
Food. — Insects, and seeds of weeds and grasses. 

The habits of the Sprague pipit closely resemble those of the other 
pipits. In Coues's Birds of the Northwest there is an enthusiastic 
description of the flight song of spragueii. 

FAMILY CINCLIDiE: DIPPERS. 



Fig. 543. 



GENUS CINCLUS. 

701. Cinclus mexicanus -Swains. Water Ouzel: Dipper. 

Bill shorter than head, slender, and compressed ; wing short, stiff, 

rounded, with ten primaries, 
the first spurious ; tail shorter 
than wing, soft, of twelve 
broad rounded feathers 
almost hidden by coverts ; 
tarsus without scales ; claws 
^°" * strongly curved. Adults in 

summer : whole body nearly uniform slate gray, a trifle lig-hter below ; 
head and neck faintly tinged with brown. Adults in winter : similar, 
but feathers of wings and under parts lightly tipped with white. Young : 
similar to winter plumage, but under parts more or less mixed with white 
and tinged with rusty. Length: 7.00-8.50, wing 3.40-3.81, tail 1.90-2.12> 
bill .60-.70. 

Distribution. — Mountainous parts of central and western North America 




WKENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 433 

from the Yukon to Guatemala; east, in the United States, to the eastern 
base of the Rocky Mountains ; mainly resident throughout its range. 

Nest. — Among- rocks, near running water, often behind a cascade ; a 
bulky oven-shaped structure open on the side, made of green mosses. 
Eggs : 3 to 5, white. 

To all his friends, the name water ouzel calls up pictures of foam- 
ing cascaded streams in the heart of the grand old western moun- 
tains. What a quickening touch of life and good cheer the songster 
gives to the lonely canyons and forests ! And how fascinating it is 
to watch him as he pokes about in wren-like fashion under the banks 
of streams, disappearing in dark grottoes and behind miniature water- 
falls or stepping off into the pools, where he sinks under water as 
easily as a grebe ! 

When resting against the background of dark rocks he would be 
almost invisible did he not keep up a persistent winking, for at each 
wink you get a flash from his white nictitating membrane. He also 
has a trick of bobbing, winter wren style, that tells the tale of his 
whereabouts. 

In a southern California canyon we once found a typical ouzel 
nest on a ledge of rock opposite a waterfall whose spray doubtless 
kept the moss of the nest fresh. While we were admiring the nest, 
one of the old birds appeared and ran up the slippery face of the 
wet rock beside the waterfall with easy unconcern. 

The ouzels do not leave their breeding grounds when their family 
cares are over, but stay in the mountains until the streams are 
frozen, and Mr. Batchelder has seen one swim dowmstream under 
the ice. In the Wasatch in December, one crisp, clear morning 
when the still pools were frozen over and there was ice along the 
edges of the streams and iced spray on the bushes, Mr. Bailey's ear 
was caught by a beautiful song, and following upstream he discov- 
ered an ouzel sitting on a cake of ice in the bright sun singing as 
gayly as a bobolink in June. 

(See Muir's Mountains of California and Olive Thorne Miller's 
Bird- Lover in the West.) 

FAMILY TROGLODYTIDiE : WRENS, THRASHERS, 

ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Rictal bristles conspicuous. 




Fig. 545. 

2. Tail shorter than wing Oroscoptes, p. 435. 

2'. Tail longer th3.n wing. 



434 



WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 




3. Exposed culmen equal to or 
longer than middle toe 
without claw. 

Toxostoma, p. 437. 



Fig. 547. 



3'. Exposed culmen decidedly shorter than middle 
toe without claw. 

4. Plumag-e light gray, marked with white. 

Mimus, p. 435. 



4'. Plumage slaty, not marked with white. 

Galeoscoptes, p. 437. 



Fig. 549. 
1'. Rictal bristles not conspicuous. 

_ T- Fig. 550. 

li:"4hll-6.56. Heleodytes,p.442. 

3. Tail equal to or longer than wing ; tail mainly blackish. 
Q' rp ., , , , . Thryomanes, p. 446. 

'a A .^^^'^ *^^" ^^i^g" '* tail not mainly blackish. 
4. Outside toe much longer than inner. 

5. Exposed culmen longer than tarsus ; 
largely rusty brown. 

Catherpes, p. 444. 




Fig. 551: 




5'. Exposed culmen shorter than tar- 
sus ; largely grayish brown. 

Salpinctes, p. 443. 



Fig. 552. 
^ui ;.1e toe not markedly longer than inner. 

5. Tail less than three fourths as long as wing. 

01biorchilus,p. 449. 



Fig. 553. 




5'. Tail more than three fourths 
as long as wing. 
6. Head without white supercil- 
iary . Troglodytes, p. 448. 



6 . Head with white superciliary. 




Fig. 554, 



Fig. 555. 



7. Back streaked with white. 

Cistothorus, p. 449. 





WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 435 



7'. Back rusty brown. 

Thryothorus, p. 446. 



GENUS OROSCOPTES. 
702. Oroseoptes montanus (Towns.).- Sage Thrasher. 

Bill much shorter than head ; rictal bristles well developed ; wings and 
tail of equal length ; tail graduated. 
Adults: upper parts dull grayish 
brown, indistinctly streaked ; wings 
with two narrow white bars ; tail with 

inner web of 2 to 4 outer feathers j,- ^^j 

tipped with white ; under parts whitish, 

buffy on flanks and under tail coverts ; breast and sides marked with brown 
to sooty spots. Young : like adults, but upper parts indistinctly streaked 
with darker, and streaks on under parts less sharply defined. Length : 8- 
9, wing 3.95-4.19, tail 3.20-3.35, bill .60-.65. 

Distribution. — Sage plains from Montana south to northern Mexico and 
Lower California, and from western Nebraska to the Cascades and the 
Sierra Nevada. 

Nest. — Bulky, composed largely of coarse plant stems, dry sage 
shreds, and sage bark, lined with fine rootlets, and sometimes hair ; placed 
usually in sagebrush. Eggs : 3 to 5, rich greenish blue, spotted with clove 
brown. 

The sage thrasher, and the Brewer, Bell, and lark sparrows, are 
among the commonest birds of the sagebrush country, and the sage 
thrasher's big gray body with its white tail corners shows from a 
distance as he disappears with long undulating flight over the face 
of the sage plain. 

In the land of telegraph poles he often mounts one to sing, but 
his commonest perch is the top of a tall sage bush, and as his song 
is poured out even long after dark and sometimes by moonlight, 
with scarcely less richness than the true thrasher's, you are glad he 
lives in the deserts. In winter he leaves the sagebrush aiid wanders 
south over the lower valleys. 

GENUS MIMUS, 

703a. Mimus polyglottos leucopterus (Vigors). Western 
Mockingbird. 

Bill much shorter than head, notched near end ; rictal bristles well 
developed ; wings rounded ; tail longer than wings, rounded ; tarsus longer 
than middle toe and claw ; scales of tarsus distinct. Adults : upper parts 
grayish drab ; wings and tail blackish, wings with large white patch at base 
of primaries, wing bars, white-tipped wing quills, and tertials with whitish 
edgings ; under parts white, washed with clay color. Young : more brown- 
ish above ; back indistinctly spotted or streaked ; breast spotted. Male : 
wing 4.29-4.72, tail 4.53-5.32, bill .61-75. Female : wing 4.25-4.65, tail 
4.43-5.08, bill .59-.71. 

Distribution. — Southwestern United States from the Gulf of Mexico 



436 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

(Texas) to the Pacific coast, and from Indian Territory south to Oaxaca, 
Mexico, and over Lower California ; resident in the southern and lower 
portions of its range ; migratory in the northern and higher portions. 

Nest. — Bulky, made of sticks, often thorny ones, lined with finer ma- 
terials, sometimes gray moss or cotton ; placed in thick bushes, thorny 
trees, yuccas, hedgerows, and vines. Eggs : 4, pale bluish or greenish, 
spotted with reddish brown. 

Food. — Earthworms, insects, and berries. 

The mocker almost sings with his wings. He has a pretty trick 
of lifting them as his song waxes, a gesture that not only serves to 
show off the white wing patches, but gives a charming touch of 
vivacity, an airy, almost sublimated fervor to his love-song. His 
fine frenzies often carry him quite off his feet. From his chimney- 
top perch he tosses himself up in the air and dances and pirouettes 
as he sings till he drops back, it would seem, from sheer lack of 




From Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 558. Eastern Mockingbird. 

breath. He sings all day, and often — if we would believe his 
audiences — he sings down the chimney all night, and when camp- 
ing in mockerland in the full of the moon you can almost credit 
the contention. A mocker in one tree pipes up and that wakes his 
brother mockers in other trees, and when they have all done their 
parts every other sleepy little songster in the neighborhood — be he 
sparrow or wren — rouses enough to give a line of his song. The 
wave of song is so delightful that even the weary traveler gladly 
lies awake to listen. 

But in broad daylight the mocker's ebullitions are not always 
pleasing. In Texas the birds are so common and their mimicry so 
perfect, that it is positively tormenting to the ornithologist. They 
imitate everything from the squack of the blue jay, the varied notes 
of the Cassin kingbird, the shrike, and the gnatcatcher, to the shrill 
call of the rock squirrel. Whenever you hear a new bird and hurry 
through brush and briars to see it, at the end of your heated search 
there sits a calm mocker! As the birds are omnipresent and always 
singing somebody else's song, they sadly interfere with the ornitho- 
logist's serenity of spirit. 



WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 437 




From Biological Survey, U. S Dept. of Agriculture. 
Fig. 559. 

GENUS GALEOSCOPTES. 

704. Galeoscoptes carolinensis {Linn.). Catbird. 

Rietal bristles well developed ; tail longer than wing-, much rounded ; 
scales of tarsus indistinct. Adults : dark slaty gray ; crown and tail 
black ; under tail coverts dark rufous. Young : similar, but washed with 
brownish. Length : 8.00-9.35, wing 3.45-3.75, tail 3.70-4.25, bill .6.5-.75. 

Distribution. — Breeds from the Saskatchewan to the Gulf states and 
from the Atlantic west over the Rocky Mountains ; occasional on the 
Pacific coast. Winters in the southern states, Cuba, and from Mexico to 
Panama. Resident in Bermuda. 

Nest. — Largely of rootlets, placed in thickets and orchards. Eggs : 3 
to 5, plain, deep bluish green. 

Food. — Ants, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects, 
small fruits and wild berries. 

In Colorado the catbird breeds from the plains to about 8000 feet, 
quite commonly on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, but 
rarely in the western part of the state. In Utah it plays its eastern 
role, Mr. Henshaw says, living in shrubbery on the edges of towns 
and even coming familiarly to the gardens. 

GENUS TOXOSTOMA. 

General Characters. — Bill varying from shorter than head and straight 
to longer than head and greatly curved ; rietal bristles well developed ; 
feet large and strong ; tarsus conspicuously scaled in front ; wings and tail 
rounded, tail decidedly the longer. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Under parts without dark markings. 

2. Upper parts pale brown lecontei, p. 441. 

2'. Upper parts not pale brown. 

3. Under tail coverts dark rufous . . . . . , . crissale, p. 442. 
3'. Under tail coverts buffy or tawny. 

4. Throat brownish redivivum, p. 440. 

4. Throat white . . pasadenense, p. 441, 



438 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

1'. Under parts with dark markings. 
2. Strikingly marked with blackish. 

3. Upper parts deep rufous rufum, p. 438. 

3'. Upper parts washed with golden brown . . . sennetti, p, 438. 
2'. Faintly marked with dusky. 

3. Under mandible yellowish at base ..... bendirei, p. 439. 
3. Under mandible blackish at base. 

4. Wings barred and tail strikingly tipped with white. 

curvirostre, p. 439. 

4'. Wings plain or obsoletely barred, and tail only indistinctly tipped 

with lighter palmeri, p. 439. 

Subgenus Toxostoma. 
Tarsus longer than exposed culmen. 

705. Toxostoma rufum (Linn.). Brown Thrasher. 

Adults. — Upper parts reddish hroivn ; wings with two white bars ; under 
^^^^ ' .^s^^'^^ parts bufpy white, spotted with 

brown. Young : spots on under 
parts thicker, blackish ; rump 
-\\ golden brown ; spotting on wing 
i ^ coverts fawn color. Length : 10.50- 
^ ^;- 12.00, wing 4.10-4.60, tail 5.00- 

5.75, exposed culmen .90-1.10. 
"^ Distribution. — Breeds from Can- 

ada to Gulf of Mexico and from the 
Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. 

Nest. — In thorny trees, vines, or 
bushes, a coarse, bulky structure of 
From Biological Survey, U.S.Dept. of Agriculture. s^cl5.S^ rootlets, leaves, and weed 
^^S- 560. stems, lined with rootlets and horse- 

hair. Eggs : 3 to 5, huffy, or tinged with green, minutely spotted with 
reddish brown, this sometimes becoming the prevailing color. 

Food. — Beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, bugs, and spiders ; small 
fruits and seeds. 

The eastern brown thrasher is a fairly common resident of the Colo- 
rado plains, breeding as high as 7500 feet. 

706. Toxostoma longirostre sennetti (Ridgw.). Sennett 

Thrasher. 
Upper parts golden brown, with two whitish wing bars ; under parts white, 

breast and sides with black wedge- 
shaped or tear-shaped marks; bill 
curved from base. Length : 10.50- 
12.00,- wing 3.80-4.20, tail 4.80-5.45, 
^'^- ^*^^- bill 1.05-1.28. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone in southern Texas from 
Corpus Christi and Laredo south to northeastern Mexico. 

Nest. — In bushes or thickets, made of sticks, vines, and sometimes 
straws, lined with rootlets. JEggs : 3 or 4, whitish to greenish, closely 
dotted with reddish brown, often most heavily around larger end. 
Food. — Insects and larvae, and berries. 

The Sennett thrasher occurs with curvirostre in southern Texas, 




WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 439 

but is much less common, only a few of the brown birds being seen, 
while the pale, clay -colored curve-bill ranks as one of the commonest 
brush birds. 

707. Toxostoma curvirostre (Swains.). Curve -billed 

Thkasher. 

Adults. — Upper parts light brownish gray ; wings with two narrow white 

bars ; tail blackish, four pairs of outer feathers ^^ 

strikingly tipped with white ; throat white ; 

breast and sides thickly spotted and clouded 

with gray ; flanks huffy. Young : similar, ^^S- ^^■^■ 

but wing coverts and rump tinged with fulvous, and markings on breast 

narrower and darker. Length : 10.50-11.40, wing 4.15-4.55, tail 4.40-4.65, 

exposed eulmen 1.10-1.30. 

Distribution. — Lower Sonoran zone from New Mexico and western Texas 
to Oaxaca, Mexico. 

Nest. — In cactus and trees, made of thorny twigs lined with a few 
grasses. Eggs : 3 or 4, colored like those of palmeri. 

The curve-billed thrasher is abundant and tame as you go through 
the thorn brush of southern Texas, especially as you approach 
Mexico. Its big clay-colored figure is largely in evidence, perched 
on the brush or flying on short wings with long tilting tail across the 
road. Cactus, yuccas, and thorn brush are all liberally supplied 
with its big thorny nests. When we were photographing one the 
owner came so close that we could see the bright red of its eyes. As 
the birds watched us they gave their liquid two-syllabled call, which 
is one of the loud, dominant notes of the country. In a dry wash in 
southern New Mexico, when we were preparing to photograph one 
of the yucca nests, the brooding bird, who had been entirely hidden 
by the yucca spears, quietly slipped out of the nest and disappeared 
in the brush. 

707a. T. c. palmeri (Coues). Palmer Thrasher. 

Upper parts uniform dark brownish gray or grayish brown ; wings with 
bars obsolete or wanting ; tail indistinctly tipped with lighter ; throat 
whitish ; rest of under parts 
grayish, obsoletely spotted with 
darker. Length: 11.00-11.50, 
wing 4.20-4.60, tail 4.80-5.20, 
exposed eulmen 1. IS- 1.40. ^'g- 563. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone in southern Arizona 
and Sonora, Mexico, 

Nest. — In cactus, of sticks, usually lined with dried grass. Eggs : 2 to 
4, pale bluish green, finely and uniformly speckled with brown. 

The Palmer thrasher is abundant on the cactus deserts of southern 
Arizona, being resident up to 3000 feet. 

708. Toxostoma bendirei (Coues). Bendire Thrasher. 
Upper parts pale grayish brown ; wings with indistinct bars ; tail dark 




440 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

brown, outer feathers tipped with white ; under parts brownish white, 

indistinctly spotted with brown ; flanks brownish. Young : similar, but 

wings and rump washed with tawny 

buff ; under parts whiter, with nar- 

rower streaks. Length : 9.50-10.50, 

TT- ^f,i T, ^- TK V, wing- 3.90-4.20, tail 4.25-4.90, exposed 

Fig. 564. Bendire Thrasher. , ° ^r._ q- ' ^ 

Distribution. — Breeds in desert regions of Upper and Lower Sonoran 
zones, in Arizona and southeastern California ; accidental in Colorado. 

Nest. — In trees, bushes, or cactus, small and daintily built for a 
thrasher, of sticks and g-rass, lined with soft materials, such as grass, 
horsehair, rootlets, wool, or feathers. Eggs : 3 or 4, generally greenish 
white, spotted with pale reddish brown, usually heaviest about the larger 
end ; sometimes grayish or pinkish white, spotted with salmon and lav- 
ender. 

Mr. Herbert Brown, who has an extended acquaintance with the 
Bendire thrasher, says it is largely confined to the central part of 
southern Arizona, unlike palmeri seldom or never leaving the flat 
country. It is migratory, smaller and less common than palmeri, 
and strangely silent for a thrasher. Only once in all his expe- 
rience has Mr. Brown heard it give its splendid song, and only 
rarely, when disturbed at the nest, has he heard it give its call of 
tirup, tirup, tirup. 

Subgenus Harporhynchus. 
Bill longer than head ; breast not spotted. 

710. Toxostoma redivivum (Gamb.). Californian Thrasher. 

Uj^er parts dull dark grayish brown ; wings and tail unmarked, tail dark- 
er ; under parts, including throat, 
dull buffy or brownish, darker on 
chest ; under tail coverts tawny. 
Length : 11.50-13.00, wing 3.90- 
^^S-^^^' 4.30, tail 4.90-5.80, bill 1.35-1.75. 

Distribution. — Coast region of California ; south to Lower California. 
Nest. — In bushes, a rude platform of twigs, roots, grasses, and leaves. 
Eggs : 3 or 4, light greenish blue, speckled with clove brown. 

The California thrasher is one of the most vociferously rollicking 
jolly good fellows of his tribe. Perched on top of the highest bush 
in sight, he shouts out kick' -it-now , kick' -it-now , shut' -up, shut'-up, 
dor'-o-thy, dor'-o-thy; and then with a rapid change of mood, drawls 
out, whoa -now, whoa' -now. It is easy to imagine such a bird a wag 
and mimic, and attention has recently been called to his imitative 
power by Mr. John J. Williams. He says that interwoven with its 
own song are the quare, quare, quare of the California jay, the 
quirriug note of the slender-billed nuthatch, and the cackling note 
of the red-shafted flicker, besides the call of the valley quail, the 
kwee-kwee-kuk of the western robin, and the trill of the wren-tit, 
which the mimic does so well that the birds answer back. 




WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 441 

When he is singing, the thrasher's bill makes him look comically as 
if he were trying to turn himself inside out ; but- the bill, awkward 
as it appears, is really an admirable pickaxe. Instead of having to 
depend on his feet for scratching away the leaves, as the short- 
billed birds do, the thrasher clears the ground by rapid strokes of 
the bill, and then probes the earth with it for his food. 

710a. T. r. pasadenense Grinnell. Pasadena Thkashek. 

Similar to redivivum, but duller ; throat white ; chest band darker than in 
redivivum. Wing: 3.92, tail 5.30, bill from nostril 1.21. 

Distribution. — '■ Interior of southern California. 

711. Toxostoma lecontei Lawr. Lecontb Thrashek. 

Adults. — Upper parts pale brownish gray ; wing's unmarked ; tail dis- 
tinctly tipped with lighter ; throat 
white ; rest of under parts dove color 
and whitish ; under tail coverts bright 

tawny brown. Young : similar, but -p. gg„ 

upper tail coverts more rusty, and 

under tail coverts paler. Length: 10.50-11.00, wing- 3.70-3.90, tail 4.57- 
5.20, bill 1.08-1.35. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone in the desert region 
from southwestern Utah to southern California, and south to Sonora, 
Mexico. 

Nest. — Very bulky, composed of thorny twigs, grasses, and weeds, 
lined with grass and feathers, and placed in cactus bushes or mesquite 
trees. JEggs : 3 or 4, pale bluish green or greenish blue, minutely and 
rather sparsely speckled with reddish brown, or yellowish brown and 
lavender. 

In the lowest, hottest, barest deserts of the country, where 
dwarfed thorn bushes, queer species of cactus, and rigid Spanish 
bayonets space the baked mesas and valleys, the Leconte thrasher 
is one of the most interesting bits of desert life. The sand-colored 
bird seems, like all of its surroundings, to have had the color baked 
out of it, or like them to have taken on the colors which best fit it 
to endure the desert temperature, sometimes 130° in the shade, and 
much higher in the glaring sun. After a cool night on the desert 
in March, when the morning air is loaded with the fragrance of 
abronias, yuccas, and primroses, and the crimson and gold cups of 
the cactus are brilliant among the creosote bushes, the thrashers are 
heard fairly splitting their throats from the mesquite tops, and seen 
running about chasing each other over the bare stretches between 
the bushes. Later in the day they rest in the shade of the chapar- 
ral, and if frightened simply run from one cover to another, rarely 
flying to escape pursuit. They easily outrun a man, and if followed 
soon disappear, going with head low and tail straight out behind 
like the road-runner, keeping always on the far side of each bunch 
of bushes. With a good horse one can usually force them to take 




442 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

wing, if they do not get out of sight before the horse gets started, 
though they have many advantages in a country where a horse is 
liable to fall into badger holes and kangaroo rat dens or come to 
deep washouts too wide for a jump. Vernon Bailey. 

712. Toxostoma crissale Henry. Cbissal Thrasher. 

Adults. — Bill long-, sharply curved ; upper parts dark grayish brown ; 

wings without bars ; tail faintly tipped 

with rufous ; throat and malar stripe 

white, in contrast to dark fawn or 

grayish under parts ; under tail coverts 

dark rufous. Young: similar, but 

Fig. 567. more rusty above, especially on rump 

and tips of tail feathers ; lower parts 

more fulvous. Length : 11.40-12.60, wing- 3.90-4.10, tail 4.80-6.40, exposed 

culmen 1.20-1.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the southwestern United States from western 
Texas to California, and from Utah and Nevada to Lower California. 

Nest. — In bushes or desert willow, made of coarse twig's, lined with 
strips of plant bark. Eggs : 3, plain pale bluish green. 

The crissal, or red-vented thrasher, lives on the rough sides of 
rocky canyons, where there are junipers and low mesquites. In 
fall he is said to eat juniper berries and other small fruits, and then, 
food being plentiful, has a distinct revival of his powerful song. 
Though ordinarily shy, individuals come about ranches and become 
quite tame. (See The Auk, iii. 292.) 

GENUS HELEODYTES. 

General Characters. — Length about 8 ; tail broad, with wide feathers ; 
tarsus scaled behind ; rietal bristles obsolete or very indistinct. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Belly lightly marked with linear spots . brunneicapillus, p. 442. 
1'. Belly heavily marked with ovate spots bryanti, p. 443. 

713. Heleodytes brunneicapillus (Lafr.). Cactus Wren.i 

Adults. — Throat and breast white, heavily marked with black roundish 

spots, in sharp contrast to buff y brown 

^'^^ii«as&, 11^- belly, which is sparsely marked with 

^I^^^^^^^^^^^^SSMtSmcm- linear spots ; superciliary white ; upper 

parts brown, streaked on back with 
^'S-568. ^j^^j^ ^^^ ^^^^^. ^^jj ^j^jj middle 

feathers brownish, spotted with black, the rest black, only outside feather 
barred with white for whole length. Young : similar, but streaks on back 

1 Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi (Sharpe). Texan Cactus Wren. 

Coloration dark, throat mainly black, back narrowly striped with white. 

Distribution. —Rio Grande region of Texas, south over Mexican tableland. {The Auk, 
xix. 143.) 

Heleodytes brunneicapillus anthonyi Meatus. Desert Cactus Wren. 

Coloration pallid, tail mostly black. 

Distribution. — Interior deserts of southwestern United States south to Chihuahua, 
Sonora, and northeastern Lower California. {The Auk, xix. 143.) 




ROCK WREN 



WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 443 

less sharply defined, spots on under parts smaller, and colors more suffused. 
Length : 8.00-8.75, wing- 3.y0-;].50, tail 3.25-3.50, exposed culmen .80-.95. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone, from southern Texas 
west to southern California, and from southwestern Utah to central Mexico. 

Nest. — In cactus, yucca, or thorny bush, bulky, flask-shaped, in hori- 
zontal position, entrance at mouth of flask ; made of sticks and coarse 
straws, lined with feathers. Eggs : 4 to 7, whitish or buffy often hidden 
by reddish brown spotting. ^ 

Brunneicapillus seems on first acquaintance, in a cactus and mes- 
quite thicket, the most unwren-like of wrens. Its big size, black- 
ish color, and grating, monotonous chut, chut, chut, chut, have little 
to suggest its small brown, sweet- voiced relatives. Its pose, how- 
ever, is like that of the Carolina wren, for it sings on top of a 
bare branch, with head up and tail hanging. It is a conspicuous 
bird in that strange land of cactus, mesquite, and yucca, and fits 
into its desert surroundings as well as its odd nest does in among 
the yucca bayonets or cactus thorns. Its nests are so common that 
in driving through the country one comes to pass them without 
comment, unless the eye is caught by a particularly perfect retort 
form for a photograph. 

In New Mexico, Mr. Anthony found the wrens repairing their 
nests in the fall , and thinks that they roost in them in winter, and 
use them for protection against storms. He believes that each pair 
of wrens keep several nests in order for this purpose. 

713a. H. b. bryanti Anthony. Bryant Cactus Wren. 

Similar to brunneicapillus, but thick ovate spotting extending- over belly 
and sides ; under parts washed with rusty, and tail with middle feathers 
more or less perfectly barred. 

Distribution. — From southern California south to Lower California. 



GENUS SALPINCTES. 



Corso^iJi/.F: 




715. Salpinctes obsoletus (*Sa«/). Rock Wren.i 

Bill about as long as head, slender, compressed, decurved at tip ; wing 
longer than tail ; tail rounded, feath- 
ers broad ; feet small and weak ; tar- 
sus longer than middle toe, scaled 

behind. Adults: Upper parts dull 

grayish 6rown, finely flecked with black ~~~" -p. ggg 

and white dots ; rump light brown ; 
tail graduated, tipped with buffy brown and with subterminal band of 
blade ; middle tail feathers narrowly barred with blackish ; under parts 
dull whitish, brownish on flanks ; chest usually finely speckled. Young : 
upper parts rusty gray ; under parts whitish anteriorly, brownish on flanks 
and under tail coverts. Length : 5.12-G.35, wing 2.68-2.80, tail 2.12-2.40, 
bill from nostril .44-.54. 

1 Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius GvmweW.. San Nicolas Rock Wren. 
Like obsoletus, but entire plumage suffused with ochraceous or dust color. 
Distribution. —San Nicolas Island, California. (jTAe Auk^ xv. 238.) 



444 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

Remarks. — The pale grayish coloration and the black crescent on the 
tail are good field characters. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia south to Lower California and to 
Chiapas, Mexico ; from western Nebraska to the Pacific ; breeds through- 
out its range and is resident from about the southern border of the United 
States southward. 

Nest. — Usually in clefts or crevices among rocks, sometimes in hollow 
stumps or about buildings. Eggs : 7 or 8, white, finely spotted on or 
around larger end with chestnut brown. 

Salpinctes ! To the worker in the arid regions of the west this 
name calls up most grateful memories. On the wind-blown rocky 
stretches where you seem in a bleak world of granite or lava with 
only rock, rock, everywhere, suddenly, there on a stone before you, 
stands this jolly little wren, looking up at you with a bob and a shy, 
friendly glance. The encounter is as cheering as the sight of a bird 
at sea, and before such meetings have been repeated many times, you 
love the little wren as you do the barking conies that give life and a 
touch of companionship to the barren rock slides of the mountains. 

Even his song, which at first hearing seems the drollest, most un- 
bird-like of machine-made tinklings, comes to be greeted as the 
voice of a friend on the desert, and its quality to seem in harmony 
with the hard, gritty granites among which he lives. Its phrases are 
varied, but one of its commonest — given perhaps from the top of a 
cliff while his mate is feeding their brood on a ledge below — is little 
more than a harsh kra-wee, kra-wee, kra-wee, kra-wee, given slowly 
at first, then after a little bob repeated in faster time. 

As you watch him he seems well fitted to escape his enemies who 
soar over the mountains, for he is a perfect rock color, and his only 
striking mark is the black fan-shaped band that flashes from his tail 
as he disappears from view. 

Altitude seems to make little difference with him, but when not in 
mountains he is usually found in regions of rocks, cliffs, or canyons. 
Dr. Mearns reported him from the summit of San Francisco Moun- 
tain, Arizoua, at a time when the hollows were filled with ice and 
snow and fierce storms were raging. 

GENUS CATHERPES. 

General Characters. — Bill about as long as head, longer than tarsus ; 
side toes of unequal lengths ; wing longer than tail. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Darker colored. Lower Rio Grande albifrons, p. 445. 

1'. Lighter colored. 

2. Larger, bill longer, spotting on back not so thick. Great Basin and 

Rocky Mountain region conspersus, p. 445. 

2'. Smaller, bill shorter, spotting on back thicker. Oregon and Cali- 
fornia west of Cascades and Sierra Nevada . punctulatus, p. 445. 




CANYON WREN 




WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 445 

717. Catherpes mexicanus albifrons (Giraud). White- 
throated Wren. 

Like conspersus, but larger and darker ; upper parts from dark rusty to 
sepia ; wings barred with rusty. Length : 6.00-6.50, wing 2.40-2.90, tail 
2.80-2.45, exposed culmen .70-95. 

Distribution. — Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and northeastern Mexico. 

717a. C. m. conspersus Bidgw. Cakyon Wren. 

Adults. — Brown except for white throat and breast ; upper parts light 
brown, grayish on head, speckled with 
white and blackish ; tail rusty brown, 
crossed by narrow black bars ; belly dark 
rusty brown. Young : essentially like 
adults, but usually without white specks , ^i?- ^^0. 

on upper parts or posterior under parts, which are, instead, mottled, more 
or less, with dusky. Length: 5.50-5.75, wing 2.20-2.40, tail 2.00-2.40, 
exposed culmen .70-85. 

Distribution. — Great Basin and Rocky Mountain region from the Sierra 
Nevada and Cascades east to Colorado, and from Idaho south to Aguas 
Calientes, Mexico ; breeds nearly throughout its range and is resident in 
the southern parts of its United States distribution. 

Nest. — In crevices of rocks, on ledge in tunnel or cave, or about build- 
ings, ma.de with thick soft walls covered with green moss. Eggs : 3 to 5, 
white, spotted chiefly on larger end with reddish brown and lilac gray. 

Sometimes, as at Austin, Texas, canyon wrens will stray into cities 
and sing from the chimney tops with the mockingbirds, and when 
they do, what cool, grateful canyon memories they awaken in the 
midst of the town ! When heard afterwards on their own native 
canyon cliffs it seems irripossible that they could ever sing in a city, 
their song is so attuned to the wild mountain fastnesses. 

The bit of a wren may be on a ledge so high above your head that 
you pick him out among the rocks only by the round white spot 
which is his throat and which shows as his head is thrown back to 
sing, but yet his voice is so powerful that the canyon fairly rings 
with his song. What joyous notes ! They sound as if his happi- 
ness were so great that he needs must proclaim it. His song comes 
tripping down the scale growing so fast it seems as if the song- 
ster could only stop by giving his odd little flourish back up the 
scale again at the end. The ordinary song has seven descending 
notes, but'often, as if out of pure exuberance of happiness, the wren 
begins with a run of grace notes, ending with the same little flourish. 
The rare character of the song is its rhapsody and the rich vibrant 
quality which has suggested the name of bugler for him, — and a 
glorious little bugler he surely is. 
717b. C. m. punctulatus Bidgw. Dotted Canyon Wren. 

Similar to conspersus, but smaller and bill shorter, and more thickly 
spotted on back. 

Distribution. — Oregon and California west of the Cascades and Sierra 
Nevada to Lower California ; resident from southern California southward. 




446 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

GENUS THRYOTHOKUS. 

718. Thryothorus ludovieianus (Lath.). Carolina Wren. 

Wing less than S ; tail not longer than wings, like back in color. Adults. — 
Upper parts rusty brown ; crown bordered by an indistinct 
blackish line and buffy white superciliary ; broad rusty 
stripe back of eye ; wings indistinctly barred with rusty 
and spotted with white ; under parts varying from white 
on throat to tawny bujBf below^ Young : crown blackish ; 
under parts more cinnamon brown, with indistinct cross 
^'^•^^l- lines. Length: 5.25-6.00, wing 2.18-2.50, tail 1.80-2.35, 

exposed culmen .60-. 70. 

Distribution. — Upper and Lower Sonoran zones from the Atlantic to the 
Plains and western Texas, and reported by Capt. Thorne from Montana ; 
from southern Michigan south to the Gulf of Mexico ; resident nearly 
throughout its range. 

Nest. — Usually in woods, in holes in logs and rocks ; made of twigs, 
grasses, and leaves, lined with feathers. Eggs : 3 to 6, white, pinkish, or 
creamy, thickly speckled on or around larger end with reddish brown. 
Food. — Insects. 

GENUS THRYOMANES.l 

General Characters. — Wing less than 3 ; tail longer than wings, black- 
ish, outer feathers tipped with white or gray ; white superciliary stripe 
conspicuous. 

KEY TO THRYOMANES. 

1. Large, wing averaging 2.25. 

2. Upper parts reddish brown. Texas cryptus, p. 447. 

2'. Upper parts grayish brown. Texas to California. 

leucogaster, p. 447. 
1'. Smaller, wing averaging 2.00-2.07. 

2. Bill averaging .50, upper parts dark sooty brown. California. 

spilurus, p. 446. 
2'. Bill averaging .54-.56. 

3. Upper parts dark, rich brown. Northwest coast region. 

calophonus, p. 447. 
3'. Upper parts grayish brown. 

4. Under tail coverts heavily barred with black. Southern and 

Lower California charienturus, p. 447. 

4'. Colors paler, under tail coverts less heavily barred with black. 
San Clemente Island leucophrys, p. 448. 

719a. Thryomanes bewickii spilurus (Vig). Vigors Wren. 

Upper parts dark brown., with a conspicuous white superciliary ; tail with 
middle feathers grayish brown, barred, only sightly contrasting with color 
of back, outside feathers blackish, spotted and barred ; under parts gray, 
sides and flanks tinged with brown. Length : wing 2, tail 1.96, exposed 
culmen .50. 

Distribution. — California west of Sierra Nevada and south to Santa 
Cruz Island. 

Nest. — Usually around buildings except in unsettled districts ; bulky, 
made largely of sticks and lined with feathers. Eggs: usually 5 to 7, 

1 See Oberholser's "Revision of the Wrens of the Genus Thryomanes." Proc. U.S. 
Nat. Mns. xxi. 421-450. 1898. 




WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 447 

white or pinkish, finely speckled or sprinkled on or around larger end with 
reddish brown and lilac. 

The bewickii group are strongly marked 
wrens with their striking superciliary, light 
spotty cornered tails, and melodious songs. 
The song of the Vigors wren, when heard 
in southern California with the Parkman, 
though not so ebullient, is richer, sweeter, 
more musical, and altogether of decidedly 
superior quality. 

Where there are houses, Thryomanes nests 
like the house wrens in odd nooks and cor- 
ners about buildings, but otherwise on 
brushy hillsides and in such congenial 
places. One Texan Bewick was found by 
Mr. Bailey nesting in a tin can turned over ^^s- ^'^'^- ^^^^^^ w^'^"- 
a fence post, the entrance being through an enlarged bullet hole. 

719b. T. b. leucogaster (Baird). Baird Wren. 

Upper parts pale grayish brown, tinged with rufous on rump ; middle tail 
feathers brown, barred with black, rest of feathers mainly black, the three 
outer pairs with grayish white tips ; superciliary white ; under parts 
whitish, purer on throat ; under tail coverts heavily barred with black. 
Wing : 2.20, tail 2.23, bill .55. 

Distribution. — Western Texas to southeastern California, and from 
southern Nevada, Utah, and Colorado south over tablelands of Mexico to 
Zacatecas. 

719c. T. b. cryptus Oberh. Texas Bewick Wren. 

Superciliary white ; upper parts rich warm brown, more rufous on rump ; 
tail with middle feathers and bases of outer webs of all but outside pair 
hair brown, barred with black ; rest of tail black, faintly barred with 
lighter ; two outer pairs of feathers tipped with grayish white ; under 
parts grayish. Wing : 2.25, tail 2.24, exposed cidmen .55. 

Distribution. — Texas, except extreme western corner ; Nuevo Leon and 
Tamaulipas, Mexico, and probably Kansas, Indian Territory, and Okla- 
homa ; migratory north of Texas. 

719d. T. b. charienturus Oberh. Southwest Bewick Wren. 

Superciliary white ; upper parts grayish brown, slightly rufous on rump ; 
tail black except for middle feathers which are hair brown, barred with 
black, outside feathers tipped with gray, outer webs barred with dingy 
white, rest of feathers tipped with brown ; under parts white or grayish ; 
crissum heavily barred with black. Wing : 2.03, tail 2.02, exposed cul- 
men .54. 

Distribution. — Resident from Pasadena along the coast region of Cali- 
fornia to Lower California ; Santa Catalina Island. 

719e. T. b. ealophonus Oberh. Northwest Bewick Wren. 

Superciliary white ; upper parts rich dark brown, slightly deeper on 
head ; tail black, middle feathers sepia brown barred with black, the rest 



448 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

tipped with gray and barred with brown, outer pair barred toward end 
with whitish ; under parts grayish white, lightest on throat, tinged with 
brown on sides and flanks ; under tail coverts barred with black. Wing : 
2.07, tail 2.03, exposed eulmen .56. 

Remarks. — Calophonus is most nearly allied to spilurus, but has a con- 
spicuously larger bill and averages larger and darker. 

Distribution. — Pacific slope from Oregon north to southern Vancouver 
Island and the Fraser River valley. Resident probably throughout its 
range, at least from Puget Sound southward. 

719.1. Thryomanes leucophrys (Anthony). San Clemente 
Wren. 

Similar to charienturus, but paler, grayer above and on flanks ; under tail 
coverts less heavily barred ; bill longer. Wing : 2.07, tail 2 ; bill .56. 

Distribution. — San Clemente Island, California. 

GENUS TROGLYODYTES. 

General Characters. — Wing less than 3, about length of tail-; stretched 
feet not reaching beyond end of tail ; inner toe united at base to middle 
toe. 

KEY TO ADULTS. 

1. Upper parts brown. Pacific coast region . . . parkmanii, p. 448. 
1'. Upper parts grayish brown. Western states except coast region. 

aztecus, p. 449. 

721a. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii {'And.). Parkman 

Wren : Pacific House Wren. 

Upper parts dull brown, all but head barred with blackish ; tail coverts 

barred with black and whitish; under parts 

dingy, lightly barred. Length : 4.25-5.25, wing 

2.02, tail 1.85, exposed eulmen .49. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region from 
British Columbia south to California. 

Nest. — In holes in trees or about buildings, 
made largely of twigs, lined with feathers. 
Eggs : 5 to 7, pinkish white, thickly spotted 
with reddish brown or brownish purple. 

The house wrens are just .ordinary birds, 
with no striking marks and nothing musi- 
'"■ ^ ■ cal or brilliant about their songs, but they 

are sucli persistently jolly little songsters that their charm is quite 
irresistible. Wherever you meet them they are always singing, be 
it about house or barn, deserted cabin, or old sycamore. Ebullient 
is the only word that expresses them. Their notes fairly tumble 
over each other, they are poured out so fast. At times the little 
musicians become ecstatic, and raise their quivering wings till they 
almost meet over the back. Besides their song the wrens have an 
anxious scolding chatter, and the mother bird a quieting krup-up- 
up which she uses to soothe her brood. 
Raising a brood is a protracted process with the wrens. With one 




WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 449 

family that I watched in southern California it was six weeks from 
the time they began building before the young left the nest. 

721b. T. a. aztecus Baird. Aztec Wren. 

Like parkmanii, but grayish brown. 

Distribution. — Western United States except the Pacific coast, east to 
the Mississippi Valley ; south to southern Mexico. 

Aztecus is the same jolly little songster SiS pai'kmanii, clambering 
over your tent and balancing the twigs he carries to his nest, saying 
and doing the same things at 9000 feet in the coniferous forest of the 
mountains of New Mexico as the Parkman at sea-level in the hot val- 
leys of southern California. 

GENUS OLBIORCHILUS. 

722a. Olbiorchilus hiemalis pacificus (Baird). Western 
Winter Wren. 

Tail less than three fourths as long- as wing ; outstretched feet reaching 
far beyond its end. Upper parts dark brown, brighter on rump and upper 
tail coverts ; wings, tail, and often back and rump 
narrowly barred with blackish ; superciliary stripe, 
throat, and breast, tawny ; belly and under tail coverts 
barred; flanks darker. Length: 3.60-4.25, wing 1.80- 
1.90, tail 1.20-1.35, exposed culmen .40-.'15. ^ '-' ' 

Distribution. — Breeds on Pacific coast from Sitka south to Monterey 
County, California, and east to Idaho ; ranges to western Mexico in winter. 

Nest. — In coniferous woods in crevices of dead logs or stumps, made of 
moss and lined with feathers. Jl^ggs : 5 to 7, white or creamy, finely but 
sparingly spotted with reddish brown. 

Food. — Largely worms and small white grubs found in the bark of trees. 

While the voluble house wrens arc always coming to the front 
singing with heads up and tails hanging, loudly publishing all 
their affairs, the quiet little winter wrens, with heads peering down 
and stubby tails cocked over their backs, are silently creeping over 
the logs and investigating all the darkest cracks and crannies of the 
fallen timber. In the redwood forests Mr. Bailey has found them 
bobbing out from under old logs, diving into hollow stumps or brush 
heaps, their somber color blending with the brown leaves, brown 
bark, and brown wood. In the deeper shade of the darker nooks and 
hollows they disappear entirely, droll Lilliputians making their homes 
" among the giant redwoods. 

GENUS CISTOTHORUS. 

General Characters. — Back streaked with black and white ; tail gradu- 
ated for about half its length. 

key to adults. 
1. Bill as long as head. 

2. Bars on tail coverts indistinct or wanting. East of Rocky Mountains. 

palustris, p. 450. 
2'. Bars on tail coverts distinct. 



450 WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. 

3. Paler. East of Pacific coast region to Rocky Mountains. 

plesius, p. 451. 

3'. Darker. Pacific coast region paludicola, p. 450. 

1'. Bill much shorter than head stellaris, p. 450. 

Subgenus Cistothorus. 

724. Cistothorus stellaris (Licht.). Short-billed Marsh Wren. 

Bill much shorter than head ; plumage brown ; top of head as well as hack 
streaked with black and white ; upper tail coverts barred ; under parts 
buffy or brownish, whiter on throat and belly. Length : 3.75-4.50, wing 
1.72-1.90, tail 1.58-1.70, bill from nostril .24-.28. 

Distribution. — Breeds from Lake Winnipeg (Norway House) southeast 
to Georgia ; in the United States west to the JPlains ; casually to Utah ; 
winters in the south Atlantic and Gulf states. 

Nest. — In tussock of I'eeds or coarse grass, the tops of which are woven 
into a spherical nest with entrance on one side, lined with finer grasses 
and sometimes vegetable down. Eggs : 6 to 8, pure white, unmarked. 

At Pi'ovo, Utah, Mr. Henshaw found that the short-billed marsh 
wren bred in the marshes. 

Subgenus Telmatodytes. 

725. Cistothorus palustris (Tr«7s.). Long-billed Marsh Wren. 
Adults. — Like paludicola, but brown of upper parts averaging more 

rusty, bars on middle tail feathers usually more indistinct or incomplete, 
and bars on tail coverts usually indistinct or wanting. Length : 4.25-5.50, 
wing 1.80-2.12, tail 1.60-1.90, bill .55-.61. Young : top of head, nape, and 
back dull black without white spots or streaks. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones from 
Manitoba and Ontario south in the eastern United States ; west to the 
Rocky Mountains ; winters locally from southern New England to the Gulf 
states and eastern Mexico. 

Nest. — Globular, with entrance on one side, attached to upright reeds in 
marshes. Eggs : 5 to 9, chocolate, sometimes nearly uniform, but usually 
sprinkled with a deeper shade. 

725a. C. p. paludicola Baird. Tule Wren. 

Top of head and triangular patch on middle of back black ; middle of 
croAvn washed with brown ; back patch streaked with white ; rest of back 
light brown ; middle tail feathers and tail coverts generally distinctly and con- 
tinuously barred with black ; under parts soiled whitish, flanks broAvnish. 
Length : 4.50-5.75, wing 1.95-2.22. tail 1.80-2.05, bill .48-.55. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Pacific coast region from British Columbia to 
California ; south in winter to extreme northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — A large globular structure fastened to tule stalks, and woven 
of wet tule stems, with wet grass and algse matted in, and with a lining of 
dry algse and tule pith. Eggs (1 set) : 5, lavender brown, clouded or mot- 
tled. 

Food. — Insects. 

The wrens of the marshes are as full of song as the house wrens, 
and as they live in colonies where they all sing at once their 
swamps are as noisy as a pond full of frogs, but their voices are 




By courtesy of The Osprey. Drawn by Louis Agassiz Fuertes 
LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN 



CREEPERS 451 

most iinfrog-like, having the tinkling machine-made quality of a 
music-box. 

Like the house wrens they sing all over, and sometimes as they 
cling to a tule stem bend almost double, comically swaying from side 
to side. 

Their big globular nests make conspicuous objects hung on the 
tule stems, and a walk among them with the birds singing at you as 
well as around you is an experience quite to a bird-lover's heart. 

While the tule swamps are their breeding grounds, in fall and win- 
ter they are found in weed patches and rank grass. 

725c. C. p. plesius Oherh. Interior Tule Wren. 

Like palustris, but upper parts paler, under parts grayer, middle tail 
feathers heavily barred, and upper and lower tail coverts barred ; paler and 
more sharply barred than paludicola. Wing: 2.06, tail 1.82, bill .50. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia and Alberta east of the Pacific 
coast district south to Mexico ; east to the Rocky Mountains and Texas ; 
breeds nearly throughout its range and winters from Oregon southward. 

FAMILY CERTHIIDiE: CREEPERS. 

GENUS CERTHIA. 

General Characters. — Bill slender, sharp, and 
decurved; tail rounded, equal to or longer than 
wing, of rigid, sharp-pointed feathers ; tarsus 
Fig. 575. scaled ; claws greatly curved, and sharp. Fig. 576. 

key to CERTHIA. 

1. Upper parts grayish. Rocky Mountains .... montana, p. 451. 
1'. Upper parts brownish or dusky. 

2. Upper parts rusty brown. Pacific coast from California to Sitka. 

occidentalis, p. 452. 
2'. Upper parts not rusty brown. 

3, Upper parts dark brown. Arizona and southward. 

albescens, p. 451. 
3'. Upper parts dusky anteriorly. Sierra Nevada and Cascades. 

zelotes, p. 452. 

726a. Certhia familiaris albescens (Berlepsch). Mexican 
Creeper. 

Upper parts dark brown, becoming deep rusty on rump ; under parts 
brownish gray, white only on throat ; flanks dark rusty. Length : 4.80- 
5.60, wing 2.55-2.60, tail 2.65, bill .70-.73. 

Distribution. — From southern Arizona south through Sierra Madre of 
northwestern Mexico. 

Nest. — Behind loosened bark or in similar openings, about stumps or 
dead tree trunks, made of felted materials and feathers. Eggs : 5 to 9, 
white, spotted chiefly on or around larger end with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects, and their eggs and larvas. 

726b. C. f. montana Bidgw. Rocky Mountain Creeper. 

Upper parts grayish, head and back streaked conspicuously with white; 
rump tawny. Wing : 2.56, tail 2.71, bill .75. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountains from New Mexico north to Alaska. 



452 NUTHATCHES AND TITS 

In the stillness of the high mountain forests your ear sometimes 
catches the thin, finely drawn pipe of the brown creeper, and if you 
watch patiently on the dark-shaded boles of the lofty trees you 
may discover the little dark-colored creature — seeming small and 
weak in the great solemn fir forest — creeping up the trunks, exam- 
ining the cracks with microscopic care as he goes. If he feels that 
his work has not been done thoroughly enough, he drops back and 
does it over again ; and when one tree has been gone over to his 
satisfaction, he often flies obliquely down to the bottom of another 
trunk and creeps patiently up that. On Mount Shasta, where the 
firs are decorated with yellow moss, the Sierra creeper goes around 
its pads when he comes to them, but works carefully over the 
dark lichen-covered branches. Sometimes he lights upside down 
on the under side of a branch, and clings like a fly, but with the 
aid of his pointed tail well pressed against the bark. In New Mex- 
ico, Mr. Batchelder has found the creepers eating more seeds than 
insects. 

726c. C. f. OCCidentalis Ridgw. California Creeper. 

Upper parts rusty brown, brig-htest on rump ; superciliary and streaks 
on head and back often tawny. Wing : 2.47. tail 
2.45, bill .72. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast from Sitka to 
Fig. 577. Marin County, California. 

Nest. — Beliind bark of redwood or cedar, 3 to 
5 feet from the ground, made of soft shredded bark, lined with feathers, 
cocoons, and silk. 

726d. C. f. zelotes Osgood. Sierra Creeper. 

Upper parts dusky anteriorly, becoming- bright rusty on rump ; super- 
ciliary, streaks on scapulars, and spots on primaries white ; throat and 
breast pure white, sides and flanks ting-ed with brownish. 

Remarks. — The Sierra creeper is intermediate between the California 
and Rocky Mountain creepers. 

Distribution. — Cascade Mountains of Oreg-on and Sierra Nevada. 

Nest. — As described by Barlow, under the bark of a dead pine, about 
20 feet from the ground, made of cedar bark, mixed with a few feathers. 
Eggs : 5, white, spotted with flakes and confluent blotches of reddish 
brown, with shell marking's of lavender. 

FAMILY PARIDiE : NUTHATCHES AND TITS. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail much shorter than wing Sitta, p. 453. 

1'. Tail equal to or long-er than wing*. 

2. Tail graduated for about half its length . . . Chamaea, p. 459. 
2'. Tail graduated for much less than half its length. 

3. Plumage compact Auriparus, p. 462. 

3'. Plumage loose. 

4. Length 4.00-4.50 Psaltriparus, p. 460. 

4'. Length 4.50-6.00 Parus, p. 455. 




NUTHATCHES AND TITS 453 

GENUS SITTA. 

General Characters. — Bill about as long- as head, compressed, slender, 
acute, tip inclined upward ; nostrils concealed by bristly tufts ; tong'ue 
horny, barbed ; wings much longer than short, even tail ; tarsus shorter 
than middle toe and claw ; toes all long-, wi^h long- curved claws ; plumag'e 
compact. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Side of head striped black and white .... canadensis, p. 454. 
I'.Side of head not striped. 

2. Top of head grayish pygmaea, p. 454. 

2'.Top of head black. 

3. Longest tertial with black patch pointed at tip. 

aculeata, p. 453. 

Fig. 578. 

3'. Longest tertial with black oblong- rounded at tip. 
carolinensis, p. 453. 

Fig. 579. 
727. Sitta carolinensis Lath. White-breasted Nuthatch.^ 
Similar to S. c. aculeata, but tertials light bluish gray, with sharply de- 
fined oblong black patches, patch on outer Aveb of 
longest feather rounded at tip ; white of side of head 
mixed with grav. Length : 5.25-6.15, wing- 3.50-3.75, 
tail 1.95-2.20, bill from extreme base .80-.90. 

Distribution. — Resident from southern Canadian 

'^' ■ province's south through the eastern United States to 

Georgia and west to the Rocky Mountains ; casually north to Hudson Bay. 

Nest. — In holes of trees or stumps, made of soft felted materials and 

feathers. Eggs: 5 to 8, white, spotted with reddish brown. 

Food. — Insects, their eggs and larvae, and nuts. 

727a. S. c. aculeata (Cass.). Slender-billed Nuthatch. 

Adult male. — Top of head and back of neck glossy blue black in sharp 
contrast to clear white of sides of head and under parts ; back bluish 
gray ; wings and tail marked with black and white, tertials dark or dull 
bluish gray, with black patch along shaft of longest feather pointed at tip. 
Adult female : top of head grayish. Length : 5.00-6.10, wing 3.35-3.75, 
tail 1.90-2.20, bill .80-.95, greatest depth of bill .13, 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones of western 
North America, east to the Plains and south to Mexico. 

Nest. — In oaks, in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, lined with 
grass, moss, fur, hair, and feathers. Eggs : 5 to 7, creamy white, lightly 
dotted with reddish brown and lilac, usually chiefly around larger end. 

As you ride through the forest in the Transition and Canadian 
zones of the western mountains, the unmistakable yang, yang, lienk' - 
ah, lienk'-ah, are frequently heard, together with the notes of king- 
lets, mountain chickadees, and Audubon warblers, for the birds are 

1 Sitta carolinensis nelsoni Mearns. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch. 

Dark and large ; bill large, maxilla convex rather than straight. Length: 5.95, wing 
3.70, tail 2.17. 

Distribution. — Wooded mountains of northern Chihuahua and Sonora, Arizona, Ne- 
vada, Colorado, and northward. {Proc. U. S, Nat. Mus. xxiv. 923.) 



454 NUTHATCHES AND TITS 

sociable little creatures, and their flocks often join the ranks of other 
small foresters. If you catch sight of a nuthatch on the side of a 
tree trunk and he turns his head to look at you, you are struck by 
his white neck patch. It can be seen from a distance, and becomes 
a striking directive mark in the dark forest, being conspicuous when 
the outlines of the bird's body are almost indistinguishable. In the 
Sierra Nevada, when passing the birds on horseback, I have lost 
sight of one I was watching till it turned its head, and then a spot 
of white stood out against the dark bole of a tree, placing it in- 
stantly. 

Like the brown creepers the blue-gray nuthatches are tree-trunk 
birds, but they do not hunt as systematically as the creepers, and are 
as likely to be found hanging head down as up, while they walk 
along under a branch as calmly as flies on a ceiling, though they 
have no stiff pointed tails to aid them. 

728. Sitta canadensis Linn. Red-breasted Nuthatch. 

Adult male. — Top of head g'lossy black, side of head with white super- 
ciliary and black eye stripe; under parts reddish brown; back bluish gray ; 
wings plain ; tail with white patches on outer feathers. 
Adult female : black of head replaced by bluish gray ; under 
parts lighter reddish brown. Young : similar, but duller. 
Length : 4.12-4.75, wing 2.60-2.85, bill about .60. 
Fig. 581. Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone of North Amer- 

ica ; in the United States in the higher mountain ranges ; 
wintering south to the southern border of the United States. 

Nest. — Described by Henshaw, in stub a few feet from, the ground, 
lined with fine shreds of pine bark. Eggs: 4 to 8, grayish white, thinly 
spotted with red at larger end. 

The red-breasted nuthatch is often found with the slender-billed 
in the west. /? i. / / 

730. Sitta pygmsea FeV- Pygmy Nut/atch. 

Adults. — Top of head grayish brown or olive gray, nape usually white ; 
rest of upper parts bluish gray ; tail with basal half of middle feathers 
white ; eye stripe black ; chin white ; rest of under parts dull buff y. Young : 
wing coverts usually more or less distinctly edged with pale buffy. Length : 
3.80-4.55, wing about 2.60, biU .60-.65. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones from British 
Columbia south to Mt. Orizaba, Mexico ; and from the Rocky Mts. to the 
Pacific. 

Nest. — In crevice of bark or holes in trees 20 or more feet from the 
ground, lined with feathers, down, wool, and hair. Eggs : 6 to 9, white, 
covered with red spots, most thickly about the larger end. 

The nuthatches are all interesting, but there is a peculiar charm 
about the little pygmy. In the Sierra Nevada aculeata and pygmoea 
are sometimes seen together in the pines about camp. When you 
see the slender-billed coming down the tree trunk over your head 





PYGMY NUTHATCH 



NUTHATCHES AND TITS 455 

you look up and think, " What an alert, bright bird," but when the 
fluffy, bob-tailed little pygmies come trooping in and alight upside 
down against the tips of the pine branches, talking in soft little 
liquid notes, you feel like exclaiming, " Oh, you winsome little mites, 
how jolly it is to see you again ! " 

A pair feeding nearly grown young were discovered by Mr. Bailey 
in the Sierra Nevada toward the last of July. Their small nest hole 
was widened from a crack in the hard shell of a half decayed pine, 
where the digging was probably easy. 

GENUS PAKUS. 

General Characters. — Bill much shorter than head, curved ; wings and 
tail about equal and rounded ; plumage loose. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Head crested. 

2. Throat black -woUweberi, p. 457- 

2'. Throat not black. 

3. Crest black or brown, contrasting with gray of back. 

atricristatus, p. 455. 
3'. Crest gray like back. 

4. Upper parts dark brownish or olive gray. Pacific coast region 

of Calif ornia and Oregon inornatus, p. 456. 

4'. Upper parts light gray. Colorado to Sierra Nevada. 

griseus, p. 456. 
1'. Head not crested. 
2. Top of head brown. 

3. Back brownish gray columbianus, p. 459. 

3'. Back dark rufous. 

4. Sides and flanks rufous rufescens, p. 459. 

4'. Sides and flanks gray, faintly tinged with rufous. 

neglectus, p. 459. 
2'. Top of head black. 

3. With white line over eye gambeli, p. 458. 

3'. Without white line over eye. 

4. Tail longer than wing. Rocky Mountain plateau. 

septentrionalis, p. 457. 
4'. Tail equal to or shorter than wing. 

5. Sides gray like back s elate ri, p. 458. 

5'. Sides not gray. 

6. Sides white. Texas agilis, p. 486. 

6'. Sides buffy or brown. 

7. Sides buffy (whitish in summer). Eastern. 

atricapillus, p. 457. 
7'. Sides brown ....... occidentalis, p. 458. 

Subgenus Lophophanes. 
Crested. 
732. Parus atricristatus Cass. Black-crested Titmouse. 
Adults. — Forehead white or smoky brown, crest black; rest of upper 



456 



NUTHATCHES AND TITS 



parts plain gray ; under parts white. Young : usually with black of crest 
mixed with ash ; upper parts slaty gray, washed with olive ; under parts 
with sides washed with brown ; throat and middle of belly lig-hter. Length : 
5-6, wing- 2.70-3.05, tail 2.50-2.90. 

Distribution. — From southeastern Texas west to El Paso, south to east- 
ern Mexico. 

Nest. — Often in old woodpecker holes, 4 to 12 feet from the ground, 
made of wool, inner bark, and snake skin. Eggs: usually 6, white, flecked 
with reddish brown. 

In Uvalde, Texas, I have seen this little Mexican stranger singing 
on the ridgepole of a village house. His black crest gave him a 
jaunty, dressed-up air, but withal he was the same winning, fluffy, 
domestic little body as the rest of his race. He sang a cheery abbre- 
viation of the Peter-Peter of his United States relatives, — a Pete- 
Pete-Pete-Pete. In the Cliisos and Davis mountains, Mr. Bailey 
found the black-crest one of the most abundant birds of the Upper 
Sonoran zone, flying about conspicuously among the junipers, nut 
pines, and scrub oaks. 

733. Parus inornatus Gamh. Plain Titmouse. 

Adults. — Plain, unmarked ; upper parts brownish or olive gray ; under 
parts gray, becoming whitish on belly. 
Young : upper parts washed with brown ; 
under parts ashy white. Length : 5.00- 
5.60, wing 2.68-2:90, tail 2.20-2.60, bill 
.38-.40._ 

Distribution. — Resident in Pacific coast 
region of California and Oregon. 

Nest. — In holes of trees or stumps, 
made of soft felted materials and feath- 
ers. Eggs : 6 to 8, plain white. 

There is an indefinable charm about 
the slow, clearly envmciated tu-whit, 
tu-whit, tu-whit, that echoes through 
the oaks, telling of the presence of the 
plain titmouse. Its soft quaker garb 
and quiet, gentle ways suit well with 
the feeling of rest and content that comes under the sun-filled live- 
oaks. There is a pleasant sense of mystery, too, till one has discovered 
which particular knot-hole has been intrusted with the safe keeping 
of the little bird's treasures ; and after the discovery there is an added 
delight in watching them, for the titmouse parents are gentle lovers 
and most attractive housebuilders. 




Fig. 582. 



733a. P. i. griseus Bidgw. Gray Titmouse. 

Similar to inornatus, but lighter ; upper parts light gray ; under parts 
whitish gray. Length : 5.75-6.10, wing 2.80-3.00, tail 2.40-2.70, bill .40- 

.48. 




NUTHATCHES AND TITS 457 

Distribution. — Resident from the Sierra Nevada to Colorado, and south 
to New Mexico and Arizona. 

734. Parus wollweberi (Bonap.). Bridled Titmouse. 

Adults. — Throat and crest black ; crown patch gray ; sides of head 
white, marked or bridled with black ; back olive 
gray ; under parts dingy whitish. Young : simi- 
lar, but throat gray, except for black on chin ; 
head markings less defined. Length : 4.50-5.00, 
wing 2.60-2.80, tail 2.40-2.65. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran zone 
from western Texas to southern Arizona and 
southward to Orizaba, Mexico. 

Nest. — As described by Scott, Z^ to 6 feet 
from the ground in oaks, cavity lined with Cot- 
tonwood down, ferns, grasses, and cotton waste. 
Eggs : 5 to 7, plain white. 

The oddly marked little wollweberi is an 
eminently social bird, Mr. Henshaw tells us, 
going about, except in the nesting season, in 

flocks of twenty-five or more. It hunts for food largely in oaks, 
passing along more quietly than other titmice. 

Subgenus Parus. 
Not crested. 
736. Parus atricapillus Linn. Chickadee. 

Adults. — Top of head and throat black ; back ashy or olive grayish, 
sometimes tinged with huffy ; sides huffy ; rest of under 
parts white. Young : upper parts dark slate ; under parts 
salmon color, faintest on breast. Length : 4.70-5.75, wing 
2.55-2.75, tail 2.50-2.70. 

Distribution. — Breeds in eastern North America north of 
the Potomac and Ohio valleys and west to western Nebraska. ■'^ '^" ^^'*" 
Recorded from Fort Sherman, Idaho. 

Nest. — In holes in trees or stumps, made of moss, fur, hair, and some- 
times feathers. Eggs : 4 to 8, white, spotted with reddish brown and lilac, 
chiefly around larger end. 

Food. — Injurious insects and their eggs, including tent-caterpillars, 
cankerworms, and plant lice ; also seeds and small fruit. 

At Fort Sherman, Idaho, the chickadee appears, strangely enough, 
to be practically identical with the far removed eastern black- 
capped. 

735a. P. a. septentrionalis (Harris). Long-tailed Chickadee. 

Like atricapillus, but paler ; throat, top of head, and nape black ; back 
pale ash, tinged with brownish ; wings with white patch and edgings ; tail 
feathers edged with white ; sides of head and under parts white ; sides and 
flanks washed with pale buffy. Length: 4.75-6.00, wing 2.55-2.80, tail 
2.55--3.00. 

Distribution. — From British Columbia and Lake Winnipeg south over 
the Rocky Mountain plateau region, and east to the Plains. 




458 NUTHATCHES AND TITS 

The long-tailed chickadee is common in the moimtains of Montana, 
and in Colorado breeds from 7000 to 10,000 feet, wintering, Prof. 
Cooke says, on the plains and foothills, occasionally up to 8000 feet. 
It is sometimes found with flocks of the mountain chickadee, and is 
also common in willows along streams. 

735b. P. a. OCCidentalis {Baird). Oregok Chickadee. 

Top of head and back of neck glossy jet black, hack dark gray, tinged 
with olive brown ; sides of head clear white, in sharp contrast to black of 
head and throat ; median under parts white, contrasting with tawny brown 
sides. Length : 4.50-5.25, wing- 2.35-2.60, tail 2.30-2.55. * 

Remarks. — The Oregon chickadee differs from the long-tailed in darker 
coloration and shorter tail. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast region, Sitka to northern California. 

736a. Parus carolinensis agilis Senn. See Appendix, page 486. 

737. Parus sclateri Kleins. Mexican Chickadee. 

Top of head and back of neck jet black, sides of head clear white ; black 
of throat spreading fan-shaped over chest ; median under parts white, con- 
trasting with dark gray of sides. Length : 4.70-5.20, wing 2.60-2.80, tail 
2.25-2.40. 

Distribution. — Mountains of southern Arizona and Mexico to Orizaba. 
a-r^.^T..cy^ TV. P. ^Xiwg f ^jj 

738. Parus gambej,! Bidgiv. Mountain Chickadee. 

Throat and top of head jet black ; black of head broken by white super- 
ciliary line ; .sides of head white ; back gray ; median under parts grayish 
white ; sides dark grav, tinged with light brown. Length : 5.00-5.75, wing 
2.70-3.00, tail 2.40-2.60. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and Transition zones of the moun- 
tains throughout the western United States as far east as the eastern slope 
of the Rocky Mountains, and from^ British Columbia south to Lower 
California. 

Nest. — In an old woodpecker hole or natural cavity, 8 to 15 feet from the 
ground, usually lined with rabbit fur. Eggs: 5 to 9, plain white or 
spotted with reddish brown, chiefly around the larger end. 

The whistles of the mountain chickadee are perhaps the com- 
monest notes heard in the forests of the Sierra Nevada. In the 
usual forms of the whistle either the one long note is followed by 
two or three short notes — plm-de-de or phce,' -de-de-de, or else the 
long note stands between the short notes, as de-de-phm' -de-de. 

Gamheli is a typical chickadee in all its motions, making short 
tilting flights from one treetop to another, and clinging upside down 
to the tips of the branches. It is an unsuspicious little friend, most 
pleasant to meet in the dark coniferous forests, always ready with a 
cheery word. 

It makes a snug nest in some old woodpecker hole. The female 
usually sits very close. Dr. Merrill says, and when disturbed ' keeps 
up a constant hissing so much like that of some snakes, that no 
prudent squirrel would venture to enter the hole.* 




MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE 



NUTHATCHES AND TITS 459 

740b. Parus hudsonicus columbianus Bhoads. Columbian 
Chickadee. 

Top of head hair brown ; back lighter brown ; sides of head white ; throat 
blaelush ; flanks dark reddish brown ; median under parts whitish. Wing : 
2.70, tail 2.64. 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountains from Liard River south to Montana. 

741. Parus rufescens Towns. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. 
Adults. — Throat blackish brown ; top of head and back of neck liair 

brown ; superciliary black ; back, sides, and flanks dark reddish brown ; 
rest of under parts and sides of head white. Young : top of head, back of 
neck, and throat dark sooty brown ; back dull chestnut, ting'ed with olive ; 
sides ashy, partly washed with brown. Length : 4.50-5.00, wing- 2.35-2.60, 
tail 2.00-2.30. 

Distribution. — From Alaska south to California, east to Idaho. 

Nest. — In stub, 12 to 40 feet from the ground, lined with cow hair, rab- 
bit fur, feathers, or moss. Eggs : white, unmarked or minutely spotted 
with reddish. 

At Cape Disappointment, Washington, Mr. Kobbe found the 
chestnut-backed chickadees affecting preferably the more open 
woods along roads and trails. They were very common all the year 
around, especially during the rainy winters, when large flocks of 
them could be seen scrambling about on the branches .of the drip- 
ping firs in search of insects. They were often found with Oregon 
chickadees and golden-crowned kinglets. Their call-note Mr. 
Kobbe gives as a lisping the-the-the-te-te. 

Mr. Walter Fisher found the birds very abundant on Mt. St. 
Helena in August and September. 

741a. P. r. neglectus Ridgw. California Chickadee. 

Similar to the chestnut-backed chickadee, but sides and flanks light 
grayish, only lightly tinged with brown. Wing : 2.30-2.60, tail 2.00-2.20. 

Distribution. — Coast of California, from Monterey northward. 

GENUS CHAM-^EA. 

General Characters. — Plumage soft and loose ; lores and gape bristled ; 
rounded wings much shorter than graduated tail ; bill much shorter than 
head, stout ; nostrils naked. 

KEY TO species. 

1. Under parts dark ruddy brown. Coast region of Oregon and California. 

phcea, p. 460. 
1'. Under parts light pinkish or yellowish brown. California, except north- 
west coast district fas data, p. 459. 

742. Chamsea faseiata Gamb. Pallid Wren-Tit.i 

Upper parts gray, tinged with olive or brown on posterior part ; tail 

1 ChamcBa faseiata intermedia Grinnell. 

Back and upper tail coverts sepia ; throat and breast cinnamon rufous. 

Distribution. —Type locality, Palo Alto, California. {The Condor, ii. 86.) 



460 NUTHATCHES AND TITS 

long, graduated ; under parts fawn, buffy brown, or pinkish brown, more 
or less obscurely streaked with dusky. Wing : 
2.37, tail 3.41, bill .42. 

Distribution. — Resident in Upper Sonoran 
zone from San Francisco Bay south to north- 
^'g- ^^- ern Lower California. 

Nest. — In low bushes, made of twigs and straws mixed with feathers. 
Eggs : 3 to 5, plain pale greenish blue. 

One of the most persistent of the pleasant memories of the cha- 
parral-covered hills of California is that of the bell-like descending 
keep-keep-keep-keep-keep-it, keep-it, keep-it, of the wren-tit. Scale- 
bird he is well called because of it, for while the song has many- 
variations it always contains a descending scale. But though his 
voice is continually ringing in your ears the wren-tit is a secretive, 
mysterious bird like the chat, and you may hunt through the cha- 
parral full many a merry day before you see him run his scale. 
When you accidentally come face to face with him on his own 
domains, he makes it appear such a casual meeting in a neighbor- 
hood in which he has no interest, that the worldly wise observer is 
fairly maddened with curiosity and desire to discover his nest. 

The appearance and mannerisms of the birds stimulate this inter- 
est. They are brown, with light yellow eyes, and long tails which 
tilt up and down as they fly, and are often held up as they hunt in a 
wren-like, careful way over the chaparral branches. 

742a. C. f. phsea Osgood. Coast Wken-Tit. 

Upper parts dark brown becoming- sooty on head ; under parts dark 
ruddy brown, indistinctly streaked with dusky., 

Distribution. — Resident in Transition zone on coast of Oregon and Cali- 
fornia from Astoria to Nicasio. 

GENUS PSALTRIPABUS. 

General Characters. — Plumag-e loose ; bill much shorter than head ; 
nostrils concealed ; wings rounded, shorter than long, graduated tail. 

RES' TO SPECIES. 

1. Top of head brown. 

2. Top of head sooty brown. Pacific coast region, from northern Cali- 
fornia to Washington minimus, p. 460. 

2'. Top of head light brown. California, except northern coast district. 

calif ornicus, p. 461. 
1'. Top of head gray. 

2. Sides of head black Uoy di, p. 462. 

2'. Sides of head brown. 

3. Head with blackish streak along side of occiput. 

santaritae, p. 462. 
3'. Head plain bluish gray plumbeus, p. 462. 

743. Psaltriparus minimus (Towns.). Bush-Tit. 
Top of head sooty brown ; back dark grayish brown or brownish gray ; 



NUTHATCHES AND TITS 



461 




under parts smoky brownish on sides. Length : 4.00-4.50, wing 1.95, tail 
2.20. 

Distribution. — Transition zone of the Pacific coast region from Wash- 
ington to northern California. 

Nest. — Hung in thickets of ash 
and willow, bulky, purse-shaped, 
with entrance usually on one side 
near top ; made of mosses, plant 
fibers, lichens, and feathers. If^ggs : 
5 to y, white, unmarked. 

Food. — Black olive scale and 
other insect food. 

In Golden Gate Park, San Fran- 
cisco, while the white -crowned 
and golden-crowned sparrows are 
busy on the lawns, faint notes 
come from the undergrowth, 
which on investigation proves to 
be astir with flocks of diminutive 
bush-tits, though their gray coats 
disguise them so well that unless 
you look sharp the oak leaves 
seem to be merely rustling in the 
wind. When watched carefully 
the little balls of feathers are seen Fig. 586. 

to be busily looking for insect eggs quite after the fashion of their 
larger chickadee cousins. Flitting from branch to branch they fly 
up to light upside down on the underside of a bough, and then 
without taking the trouble to turn right side up drop down back- 
wards to catch upside down on the tip of another twig, where they 
bend double over the terminal buds looking for food. 

In southern California, where the California bush-tits breed very 
abundantly, their long gray hanging nests are common objects as you 
ride about among the oaks, so common that the birds, which might 
well be overlooked but for their nests, are known familiarly as 
'hang-birds.' 

In a nest which came to grief, apparently pulled down by its own 
weight, I counted over three hundred little feathers in addition to 
a mass of fine gray moss and oak blossoms. 

743a. P. m. calif ornicus Bidgw. California Bush-Tit. 

Similar to minimus, but lighter, top of head light brown, contrasting 
more sharply with light gray of back ; under parts light brownish. Length : 
4.00-4.50, wing 1.85-2.10, tail 2.00-2.30. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of Cali- 
fornia, except along the north coast. 

Food. — Black scale, weevils, caterpillars, cocoons, insect eggs, bark 
lice and large numbers of other injurious insects. 



462 NUTHATCHES AND TITS 

744. Psaltriparus plumbeus Baird. Lead-colored Bush-Tit. 

Upper parts plain bluish gray ; sides of head brown ; under parts grayish 
white, faintly ting-ed with pale brownish on belly. Length: 4,12-4.00, 
wing- 2.00-2.1,5, tail 2.35-2.50. 

Distribution. — Upper Sonoran and Transition zones from eastern Oregon 
and western Wyoming to Arizona, and from western Texas to California. 

Nest. — In Chisos Mountains, Texas, 12 to 15 feet from ground, in a 
nut pine, a greenish gray bag (3 or 8 inches long, made of lichens, oak 
flowers, and catkins, woven with cocoon silk. Eggs : 4, white. 

When we were working in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas and 
New Mexico, while the ant-eating woodpecker was calling and band- 
tailed pigeons were flying noisily to water, our attention would often 
be attracted by small voices in the brush, and presently a large flock 
of the tiny lead-colored bush-tits w^ould swarm in and pass from 
juniper to juniper and pinon to, pinon through camp, disappearing 
as they came, full of small talk and business. 

744.1. Psaltriparus santaritse Ridgw. Santa Rita Bush-Tit. 

Similar to plumbeus, but smaller, sides of head paler brown, and with a 
more or less distinct blackish line along sides of occiput. 
Distribution. — Santa Rita Mountains, southern Arizona. 

745. Psaltriparus Uoydi Senn. Lloyd Bush-Tit. 

Upper parts gray ; sides of head and partial collar around back of head 
black ; under parts grayish, faintly washed with 
pale brownish. 

Distribution. — Mountains of western Texas, 
between the Pecos and Rio Grande rivers ; south 
Fig. 587. ^^ northern Mexico. 

GENUS AURIPARUS. 

746. Auriparus flaviceps (Sund.). Verdin. 

Bill nearly straight ; plumage compact ; wings pointed, decidedly longer 
than tail. Adult male: head, neck, and chest bright yellow; olive on 
crown and sometimes orange on forehead ; shoulder patch reddish chest- 
nut ; rest of upper parts gray ; under parts whitish. Adult female : sim- 
ilar, but yellow restricted and duller. Young : without yellow or reddish 
brown, and gray of upper parts tinged with brown. Length : 4.00-4.60, wing 
1.90-2.12, tail 1.75-2.05. 

Distribution. — Resident in Lower Sonoran zone from southern Texas to 
the Pacific and from southern Utah and Nevada to Mexico and northern 
Lower California. 

Nest. — Bulky, globular, flask or retort-shaped, the entrance a small 
round hole on one side ; composed of sticks, thorny twigs, and coarse grass 
stems, lined with feathers and down ; placed in thorny bushes or low trees. 
Eggs : 3 to 6, bluish or greenish white, speckled, chiefly around larger 
end, with reddish brown. 

The verdin lives in the lower mesquite valleys along the Rio Grande 
and the Colorado, the Gila and the Pecos rivers, seeming to prefer 
brushy valleys to open desert. It is an active little body, bobbing 



KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. 463 

about in the thorn bushes like a kinglet, scolding and sputtering 
when you are near its nest. Very much of a stay-at-home little per- 
son it is, too, sleeping all the winter nights in the old nests, relined 
with feathers and hair, or in new ones built for the especial purpose. 
It shows almost as much anxiety when its winter house is ap- 
proached as if it contained eggs or young. Poke your finger into 
the small round hole at the side of the nest early in the morning or 
after sundown in January, and you will feel a flutter of feathers or 
get a sharp peck on the fingers to teach you better manners. Even 
in the breeding season the bird not engaged in incubation spends the 
nights in a nest not far away, probably an old one used for eggs the 
previous year. 

The song of the verdin seems even more out of proportion to his 
inches than his nest, and on following it up you expect to find a 
big warbler or sparrow instead of such a tiny bird. 

I once saw a verdin pick a scarlet lysium berry, and with it 
grasped firmly in one foot, his tarsus resting across a branch, eat the 
juicy pulp from around the seeds with more ease and grace than a 
hawk could boast in picking a sparrow. Yernon Bailey. 

FAMILY SYLVIIDiE: KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, 

ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Tail graduated, marked with white ..... Polioptila, p. 465. 
1'. Tail emarginate, not marked with white .... Regulus, p. 463. 

GENUS REGULUS. 

^ General Characters. — Bill shorter than head, straig-ht, 

^-^ slender ; nostrils concealed ; wings pointed, long-er than 

i emarginate tail ; tarsus slender, longer than middle toe and 

Fig. 588. claw, not scaled. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Crown marked with black and yellow. 

2. Coloration duller satrapa, p. 463. 

2'. Coloration brighter olivaceus, p. 464. 

1'. Crown not marked with black and yellow ; male with red crown patch. 

2. Upper parts grayish olive calendula, p. 464. 

2'. Upper parts sooty oHve grinnelli, p. 465. 

748. Begulus satrapa Licht. Golden-crowned Kinglet. 

Adult male. — Crown encircled anteriorly with black, bordered inside by 
yellow, with a central orange patch ; rest of upper parts g-ray- 
ish olive, more olive toward rump ; wings with two whitish 
bands; under parts dingy whitish. Adult female : similar, 
but crown patch wholly yellow. Young : crown patch want- 
ing but white line over eye ; breast washed with fawn Fig. 589. 




464 KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. 

color. Length : 3.15-4.55, wing 2.10-2.25, tail 1.60-2.00, exposed culraen 
.25-.30. 

Distribution. — North America generally, breeding ia Boreal zone forests 
of the northern parts of the United States northward ; migrating to 
Guatemala. 

Nest. — A hall-like mass of green moss attached to end of branch in 
pine or fir ; lined with hair and feathers, ^ggs : 5 to 10, white or huffy, 
faintly specked, chiefly around larger end, with deeper huffy. 

748a. R. s. olivaceus Baird. Western Golden-crowned 
Kinglet. 

Similar to satrapa, hut brighter, crown colors sharper, upper parts 
greener, and under parts more washed with buffy brown. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region of North America from California 
northward ; migrates to Guatemala. 

In the high Sierra one of the notes that you hear most frequently 
from the impenetrable tops of the highest firs comes apparently 
from this bit of a kinglet ; and as you crane your neck and strain 
your eyes day after day and week after week in riding under the 
trees in the vain attempt to see him do it, the rolling notes shape 
themselves ungrammatically to your aggravated query, wJio-he'-you f 
wJio-he'-you f who-he'-you ? The call-note of the little fellow seems to 
be a thin ti-ti, quite different from the chatter of the ruby -crowned 
kinglet. 

749. Regulus calendula {Linn.). Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 

Adult male. — Crown patch bright red ; upper parts grayish, brightening 
to greenish on rump, and with greenish yellow edges to 
feathers ; wings witli two narrow whitisli bands ; under parts 
dingy whitish. Adult female and young : similar, but with- 
out crown patch. Length: 3.75-4.60, wing 2.20-2.80, tail 
Fig. 590. 1.85-1.90, bill from nostril .20-.22. 

Distribution. — North America from the arctic coast to Guatemala ; 
breeds in Boreal zone chiefly north of the United States, and in the Rocky 
Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and mountains of Arizona ; migrates to Guate- 
mala. 

Nest. — Semi-pensile, bulky, made of shreds of bark, feathers, and 
green moss, lined with hair and feathers ; attached to end of pine or 
spruce branch, or placed in the top of a small tree, 10 to 20 feet from the 
ground. Eggs : 5 to 9, whitish or buffy, faintly spotted, chiefly around 
larger end, with light brown (sometimes nearly plain). 

The scolding chatter of the ruby-crowned kinglet with the plump 
little figure's lift of the wing, however far overhead, always tells an 
unmistakable tale. The cheery, busy little chap brings his own wel- 
come in the timber, chatting sociably as he hunts with microscopic 
care over the twigs and flutters hummingbird-fashion under the 
green sprays ; but when he sings you regard him with a new feel- 
ing of wondering admiration, — such a volume of song and such a 
well-modulated, liquid, ringing melody! 




KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. 



465 



749a. R. C. grinnelli W. Palmer. Sitkan Kinglet. 

Adult male. — Similar to calendula, but smaller and darker ; upper 
parts sooty olive, darkening- to blackish along sides of vermilion crown 
patch ; wing- with dark parts nearly black ; throat and breast dusky gray ; 
belly whitish, tinged with yellowish. Young male : rich brownish olive, 
much darker than corresponding calendula, and under parts brighter. 
Wing : 2.17, tail 1.70, bill .16. 

Distribution. — Sitka district, Alaska ; migrating- south to California. 

GENUS POLIOPTILA. 

General Characters. — Bill shorter than head, broad and flat- ~,^,===}=^ 

tened at base, narrowing to slender notched and hooked tip ; ^^^^^ 

nostrils exposed; wings rounded ; tail graduated; tarsus scaled; ""^^^^^ 

toes short, side ones only about half as long as tarsus. Fig. 591. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Outer tail feather with exposed portion entirely white. 

2. Crown light bluish gray. From Colorado east. 

cserulea, p. 465, 



Fig. 592. 

2'. Crown dark bluish gray. Western Texas to California. 

obscura, p. 466. 
1'. Outer tail feather with exposed portion partly black. 

^ 2. Outer tail feather with outer web entirely white. 

plumb ea, p. 466. 



Pig. 593. 



Fig. 594. 



2'. Outer tail feather with outer web black, edged with 
white. Southern California . californica, p. 466, 



751. Polioptila cserulea (Linn.). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 

Adult male. — Upper parts bluish gray, brightest on crown, fading to 
lighter on rump ; forehead and 
line over eye black ; tail black with 4^^^- 
exposed part of outer feathers en- ^r~^ "^ 
tirely white; under parts white 
washed with bluish on sides. 

Adult female and young : simi- % r^^S'UHilr'WEK^'^ riPtim ^,<tfiB^ 
lar, but duller, and without black 
on head ; young with upper parts 
washed with cinnamon. Length : 
4.05-5.50, wing 2.00-2.20, tail 
2.05-2.20. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Up- 
per Sonoran zone in the eastern 
and central United States west 
to Colorado and western Texas ; 
winters from the southern Atlan- 
tic and Gulf states to Guatemala, 
Cuba, and the Bahamas. 

Nest. — In trees, cup-shaped, ^ig- 595. 




466 KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. 

compact, made of leaves, feathers, and plant fibers, and decorated with 
lichens. Eygs : 4 or 5, pale greenish white, spotted with reddish brown, 
lilac, and slate, confluent around larger end. 

The gnatcatchers are active, high-strung little sprites, never still a 
minute, but going about whipping their tails from side to side, cock- 
ing their heads over to look up or gaze down, and crying tsang', 
tsang', here I am, Jiere' I am, with nervous emphasis, talking to 
themselves when no one is by. They are most entertaining birds to 
watch, always saying or doing something original, jaunty individual 
scraps, full of their quaint airs and graces. 

With all their airs they are most painstaking, skillful builders, and 
parents who know no fear, flying boldly at the big birds who molest 
them and driving them oft' with good set blows. 

751a. P. C. obscura Bidgw. Western Gnatcatcher. 

Similar to ccerulea, but darker, less blue above, and black superciliary 
less distinct ; white on tail feathers more restricted. 

Distribution. — Western Texas and New Mexico to Arizona, California, 
Lower California, and Mexico. 

Nest. — As described by Nelson, in a bush 3 feet from the ground, made 
of shreds of bark lined with finer shreds and feathers. Eggs: 4 or 5, 
marked with reddish brown and purplish, most heavily around larger end. 

752. Polioptila plumbea Baird. Plumbeous Gnatcatcher. 
Adult male. — Top of head glossy blue black, in sharp contrast to light 

gray of back ; tail black, outer tail feather with 
outer web entirely white, inner web tipped with 

white ; under parts white, washed with bluish 

J,, ggg gray on sides. Adult female and young : simi- 

lar, but without black on head, and gray of 
back sometimes washed with brownish. Length : 4.25-4.60, wing 1.90-2.00, 
tail 2.15-2.25. 

Remarks. — The plumbeous and black-tailed gnatcatchers may be dis- 
tinguished by the outer web of the outer tail feather, which in the black- 
tailed is black edged with white ; in the plumbeous, wholly white. 

Distribution- — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from western Texas to the 
eastern edge of the Mohave Desert ; south along eastern coast of Lower 
California. 

Nest. — One near Terlingua, Texas, in fouquiera bush, made of gray 
fibers of wood and bark, wound with spider web, and lined with cactus 
wool. Eggs : 2, pale blue, spotted with brown, most thickly around larger 
end. 

The small bluish figure of plumbea is a familiar sight in the brushy 
canyon mouths of the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas and in the 
orchard-like juniper and pinon pine tops of the mountains. 

753. Polioptila calif ornica Brewst. Black-tailed Gnat- 

catcher. 
Adult male. — Crown black ; rest of upper parts r/arA; ^ray ; tail black, 
outer feather with outer web black edged with white., and inner web narrowly 



THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 467 

tipped with white ; under parts gray, ting-ed with brown on lower belly. 
Adult female : similar, but without black on head. Young : like female, 
but with browner wash and black of adult male appearing gradually. 
Length : 4.15-4.50, wing 1.90-2.00, tail 2.15-2.25. 

Distribution. — From southern California along the Pacific coast of Lower 
California. 

Nest. — As described by Anthony, in fork of a weed, 2^ feet from the 
ground, made of shreds of weeds and grass stalks lined with rabbit hair. 
Eggs : 4, bluish green, lightly spotted and wreathed around larger end with 
reddish brown. 



FAMILY TURDIDiB : THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUE- 
BIRDS, ETC. 

KEY TO GENERA. 

1. Plumage largely or wholly blue Sialia, p. 475. 

1'. Plumage largely gray or brown. 

2. Under parts reddish or yellowish brown. 

3. Chest with a dark band Ixoreus, p. 473. 

3'. Chest without dark band Merula, p. 472. 

2'. Under parts white, bufEy, or grayish. 

3. Tail white basally, black terminally .... Saxicola, p. 475. 
3'. Tail not white basally or black terminally. 

4. Wings with two light bars Myadestes, p. 467. 

4'. Wings plain Hylocichla, p. 468. 

GENUS MYADESTES. 

754. Myadestes townsendii (Aud.). Townsend Solitaire. 

Bill short, flattened, widened at base, deeply cleft; legs weak; tail 
feathers tapering. Adults : brownish 
gray, paler beneath ; wings with two 
whitish wing bars, bases of primaries 

and secondaries buffy or yellowish 

brown ; tail feathers with outer web Fig. 597. 

and tip of inner web grayish white. 
Young : wings and tail as in adult ; rest of plumage, including wing cov- 
erts, conspicuously spotted with buff. Length : 7.80-9.50, wing 4.35-4.85, 
tail 4.15-4.70. 

Distribution. — Breeds in mountains mainly in Canadian zone from Brit- 
ish Columbia south to Zacatecas, Mexico, and from the Black Hills to the 
Pacific ; winters south to southern Arizona and northern Lower Califor- 
nia. 

Nest. — On the ground, on logs or stumps, on banks of streams or among 
rocks, bulky, made largely of sticks and pine needles. Eggs : 3 to 6, whit- 
ish, spotted with reddish brown. 

The name Myadestes is associated with the choicest spots of the 
mountain heights. In the Sierra Nevada we found the birds on their 
nesting ground on the granite knob above Donner Pass, at 7900 feet. 
They evidently had a nest somewhere along a steep, wooded stream 
bed, which was flanked with bare granite, from which woodchucks 
whistled and conies barked. But while nutcrackers, Richardson 




468 THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

pewees, green-tailed chewinks, and mountain song sparrows made 
themselves conspicuous, the pair of solitaires were too conscious of 
intruders to give any information. The male, who suggested a meek 
mockingbird, guarded the brook in an aggravatingly non-committal 
way, perching on dead branches or flying to the ground, where he 
ran over the rocks with the run-and-halt motion of a robin, or sat on 
a stone quivering his wings slightly at his sides. His mate would 
sometimes slip away from the nest and appear on a branch by his 
side, and once I followed the pair over the boulders and up the cliff, 
thinking they had gone to their nest in some other place, only to be 
led back over the rocks to their little brook under the evergreens. 
Then, as the setting sun lit up the tops of the hemlocks that stood by 
the brook, turning their yellow lichen-covered branches to golden 
arms, the solitaire, perched on a sunlit branch, sang a low evening 
song in the mellow light. At other times, and when not on guard, 
the bird's song would fairly ring through the air. When given 
freely it is a strong, clear song with a flavor all its own. Heard 
from the tips of the highest trees on the crest of the range, as it so 
often is, the song has the freshness and invigoration of the air from 
the snow-banks, and is given with the strong freedom of the moun- 
tain tops. In the rocky solitudes of the Garden of the Gods it is said 
that the solitaire's voice is sometimes all that breaks the silence. 

GENUS HYLOCICHLA. 

General Characters. — Bill slender, but widened and flattened at base, 
notched near end ; tarsus decidedly long-er than middle toe and claw. 

KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Sides as well as breast heavily spotted ; head golden brown. Eastern 

United States mustelina, p. 469. 

1'. Sides gray or brown, unspotted ; head not golden brown. 
2. Eye without distinct lighter orbital ring. 

3. Upper parts and cheeks dark gray. Migrant in Rocky Mountains. 

aliciae, p. 469. 
3'. Upper parts and cheeks light brown. Rocky Mountain region. 

salicicola, p. 469. 
2'. Eye with distinct white or buffy eye ring. 
3. Chest marked with narrow triangular spots. 
4. Upper parts olive brown. Pacific coast region. 

ustulata, p. 470. 
4'. Upper parts olive gray. Oregon and California, cedica, p. 470. 
3'. Chest marked with wide triangular spots. 
4. Tail rufous in sharp contrast to back. 
5. Tail dark rufous ; length 6 to 7. 

6. Lighter. Breeds mainly north of United States ; migrates 

to Colorado and Texas guttata, p. 471. 

6'. Darker. Breeds from Washington to Sierra Nevada ; mi- 
grates to Arizona and Mexico nana^ p. 472. 




469 

5'. Tail light rufous ; length 7.50-8.25. Rocky Mountain region. 

auduboni, p. 471. 
4'. Tail not shiu-ply contrasted with back. 

5. Upper parts olive. Migrant iu Colorado and Texas. 

s-waiiisoni, p. 470. 
5'. Upper parts hair brown. Alaska and Kocky Mountains, 

almae, p. 471. 

755. Hylocichla mustelina (GmeL). Wood Thkush. 

Adults. — llcail ami back of neck rtisti/ or gold oi broirn. fading- to olive on 
rump and tail ; under parts white, marked ^.-^ar^'^X^^'if**^ 

with large blackish wedge-shaped spots, .^ifMnw '^ . '^T^-^ 

Yonmji : like adults, but feathers of crown 
streaked with buff ; wing- coverts tipped 
with rusty yellow triangular spots ; breast 
washed with brownish yellow. Length : ^^' 

7.50-8,25, wing- 4,10-4.50, tail o.OO-;>,oO. exposed culmen .02-75. 

Distribution. — Breeds in the Upper Sonorau and Transition '/ones of the 
eastern central United States west to western Kansas ; migrates to Cuba 
and Guatemala. 

Nest. — Usually saddled on a horizontal branch of a small tree, very 
compact, composed partly of mud. Eggs : 2 to 5, plain greenish blue. 

Food. — Piu-tly ants, beetles, niillipeds, and berries. 

756a. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ridgw. Willow 
Thkush. 

Upper parts uniform olicc brown, chest pale bu^y, marked with triang-nlar 
brown spots ; median under parts white, sides gray. Length : 0.90-7.00, 
wing- ;}.80-4.25, tail 2,i)5-;',.40, bill ,55-.G0. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Canadian zones from Hudson 
Bay and British Columbia south through the Rocky Mountain region to 
southern Colorado, east to the Dakotas and Newfoundland, and occa- 
sionally to Illinois ; winters south to southern Brazil. 

Nest. — On or near the ground, nuide largely of leaves. Eggs : 4, plain 
g-reenish blue, very rarely with a few specks of brown. 

Food. — Caterpillars, ants, and other insects, with wild berries and 
fruit, 

Iu JMoiitana, Mr, AVillianis says, saHcieola is the commouest aud 
most widely distributed of the thrushes, ranging from the lower 
valleys to the foothills aud cauyons, but keeping near water in 
thickets of willow, rose, or box elder, away from the heavy timber. 
Its notes are the same as those of its eastern representative, theveery, 
who has the curious bleating call, the quiet whistle whee-ough, aud 
the tremulous beautiful song. 

757. Hylocichla aliciae (Baird). Gray-cheeked Thrush. 

Upper parts grayish olive ; sid(s of head gray ; chest huffy, with wedge- 
shaped spots of brown ; median under parts white ; sides olive gray. 
Length : 7.00-7.75, wing ;5.75-4.40, tail 2.05-8.40, bill .45-.58. 

Remarks. — In general coloration the gray-cheeked resembles the olive- 
backed, but it lacksj.he buff'y eye ring aud tawny wash on sides of head. 

Distribution. — Breeds north of the United States from the arctic coast, 
Siberia, and Ahiska, southeast through Hudson Bay region to Labrador ; 



470 THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

migrates through the United States west to the Rocky Mountains and 
south to Costa Rica. 

Nest. — In low bushes or on the ground, bulky, and compact, composed 
largely of mosses. Eggs: 3 or 4, greenish blue, spotted with rusty 
brown. 

758. Hylocichla ustulata (Nutt.). Russet-backed Thrush. 

Upper parts olive brown, wings and tail often browner ; buffy eye ring 
distinct ; sides of head tinged with tawny ; chest pale buff, whitish in 
summer, marked with narrow triangular spots ; under parts white, sides 
tinged with olive brown. Length: 6.90-7.60, wing 3.60-4.00, tail 2.80- 
3.30, bill .50-.60. 

Remarks. — The ustulata group is distinguished by conspicuous buffy 
eye ring and tawny or buffy cheeks ; and ustulata and its subspecies oedica 
and almce are to be distinguished from swainsoni by their brown tails, 
that of swainsoni being olive like the back. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal and Transition zones of the Pacific coast 
region from Alaska to California ; winters in Lower California and from 
Mexico to Guatemala. 

Nest. — In bushes or small trees, usually near water, bulky and compact, 
made largely of mosses and shreds of bark. Eggs : 4 or 5, light greenish 
blue, averaging decidedly paler than those of alicice, spotted with rusty 
brown. 

Food. — Ants, caterpillars, weevils, beetles, moths, and other insects, 
with small fruit. 

At Gray's Harbor, Washington, Mr. Lawrence says, the russet- 
backed thrush is very common throughout the river-bottoms, and 
common on the small prairies and in the timber. It comes about 
the time the salmon berry bushes blossom, and goes when their 
berries are gone. 

758a. H. u. swainsoni (Cab.). Olive-backed Thrush. 

Upper parts uniform olive or grayish olive ; buffy eye ring conspicuous ; 
sides of head buffy, marked with darker ; chest bright buff, marked with 
wide blackish streaks ; under parts white, sides olive brown. Length ■: 
6.3.5-7.55, wing 3.80-4.10, tail 2.80-3.10, bill .50-.55. 

Remarks. — The olive-backed is distinguished from the rest of the 
ustulata group by having the tail of the same or nearly the same color as 
the back, and by its darker and broader chest streaks. It is also distin- 
guished from the gray-cheeked by its buffy cheeks and buffy eye ring. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian zone in eastern North America ; 
migrates to Cuba and through Colorado and Texas, south to Guatemala 
and South America. 

Nest and eggs. — Like those of the russet-backed thrush. 

Food. — Among other things, caterpillars, rose hips, and the fruit of 
smilax and hackberry. 

758b. H. u. CEdica Oberh. Monterey Thrush. 

Similar to swainsoni, but olive of upper parts somewhat tinged with 
brown, tail and tail coverts brown, and sides and flanks browner. Com- 
pared with ustulata, oedica is much less rufous. 

Distribution, — Breeds from the interior of southern Oregon south 
through California, except along the northern coast ; winters in Arizona 
and Mexico. 



THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 471 

758c. H. U. alnise Oherh. Alma Thrush. 

Similar to swainsoni, but grayer, especially on rump and upper tail cov- 
erts ; the upper parts hair brown, only lightly tinged with green instead 
of being clear olive, and the tail partly clear brown and partly uniform 
with back. 

Distribution. — Yukon Basin south to the Rocky Mountain region of the 
United States, west to Utah and eastern Nevada ; in winter south to Mex- 
ico. 

769. Hylocichla guttata (Pallas). Alaska Hermit Thrush.i 

Upper parts dark grayish brown, more olive in winter, tail deep rufous ; 
chest thickly marked with broad, wedge-shaped spots. Length : 6-7, wing 
3.25-3.80, tail 2.60-3.00, bill .45-.52. 

Remarks. — The Alaska hermit thrush can be distinguished from the 
Audubon hermit by its smaller size and darker coloration. 

Distribution. — Northwest coast region from Alaska to southern British 
Columbia, and southward in winter. 

Nest. — On ground in damp or swampy woods, composed largely of dead 
leaves and dried grasses. Eggs : 4 or 5, plain greenish blue, paler than 
in the wood and willow thrushes. 

Food. — Flies, weevils, ants, caterpillars, moths, pepper berries, and 
small fruits. 

The hermit thrushes have a marked habit of raising and lowering 
their reddish tails, and their call-note is a single cJiuck. As a group 
their songs rank as the best of the rare thrush songs. 

759a. H. g. auduboni (Baird). Audubon Hermit Thrush. 

Similar to guttata, but larger, and upper parts lighter, grayer, with rufous 
of tail much lighter (fulvous). Length : 7.50-8.25, wing 3.65-4.35, tail 
2.95-3.45, bill .53-.60. _ ' 

Distribution. — Rocky Mountain region, from near the northern border 
of the United States south to Guatemala ; east to Texas and west to the 
mountains of Arizona and southern Sierra Nevada in California. 

Nest. — In bushes or low trees, 3 to 10 feet from the ground ; partly 
made with moss. 

Food. — Flies, ants, weevils, and other insects and berries. 

As you travel through the spire-pointed fir forests of the western 
mountains, you know the thrush as a voice, a bell-like sublimated 
voice, which, like the tolling of the Angelus, arrests toil and earthly 
thought. Its phrases can be expressed in the words Mr. Burroughs 
has given to the eastern hermit, ' Oh, spheral, spheral ! oh, holy, 
holy ! ' and the first strain arouses emotions which the regularly fall- 
ing cadences carry to a perfect close. The fine spirituality of the 
song, its serene uplifting quality, make it fittingly associated with 
nature's most exalted moods, and it is generally heard in the solemn 
stillness of sunrise, when the dark fir forest is tipped with gold, or 

* Hylocichla guttata slevini Grinnell. Monterey Hermit Thrush. 

A pale ashy form ; upper parts hair brown ; upper tail coverts and tail isabella color ; 
spots on breast few and small. 

Distribution. — Breeds in humid coast belt of California from southern Monterey 
County to Sonoma County. {The Aulc, xviii. 259.) 



472 THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

in the hush of sunset, when the western sky is aglow and the deep 
voice rises from its chantry in slow, soul-stirring cadences, high-up- 
high-up, look-up, look-up. 

759c. H. g. nana {Aud.). Dwakf Hermit Thrush. 

Like guttata., but color darker and richer ; upper parts brownish oliva- 
ceous, tending toward raw umber ; top of head and rump browner than 
back ; upper tail coverts and tail burnt umber ; under parts more buffy 
t\\3in \n guttata. TFm^: 3.25, tail 2.75, bill .50, tarsus 1.12. 

Distribution. — Pacific coast region, from Washington southward, breed- 
ing south to Sierra Nevada region ; east in migrations to Nevada and Ari- 
zona, and south to Lower California and western Mexico. 

GENUS MERULA.l 

General Characters. — Bill slender and compressed, 
'O^ notched near end ; nostrils wholly exposed ; tail more than 
3 three times as long as tarsus ; under parts spotted in 
Fig. 599. young. 



KEY TO SPECIES. 

1. Outer tail feather with distinct white spot at tip of inner web ; colors 

darker migratoria, p. 472. 

1'. Outer tail feather without distinct white tip to inner web ; colors paler. 

propinqua, p. 472. 

761. Merula migratoria {Linn.). Robin. 

Like M. m. propinqua., but outer tail feather with a distinct white spot 

at tip of inner web ; 
anterior portion of 
back usually some- 
what clouded with 
black in fully adult 
birds. Length : 9-10, 
wing 4.90-5.40, tail 
4.10-4.50,bill.85-.92. 
Di stribution. — • 
Breeds from Alaska 
and the arctic coasts 
southeast through 
Hudson Bay region 
and the Rocky Moun- 

From Biological hurvey, U. S. Dept. o± Agriculture. ^^j^^ ^^ Kansas, Vir- 

I'ig- 600. ginia, and the Atlan- 

tic coast ; winters from southern Canada southward. 

Nest and eggs. — Like those of M. m. propinqua. 

Food. — Crickets, grasshoppers, and otlier noxious insects, seeds, wild 
fruit, and berries. 




761a. M. m. propinqua Bidgw. Western Robin. 
Adults. — Head, wings, and tail blackish ; rest of upper parts slaty 

1 A specimen of Merula confinis was taken by Mr. Emerson at Haywards, Cal., in Janu- 
ary, 1882. (Zoe, i. 46.) 



THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 473 

gray, black of hind neck sharply contrasting with gray of anterior part of 
back ; outer tail feather without distinct white tip, often with no white ; 
throat black, streaked with white ; rest of under parts, except tail coverts, 
rufous ; in female paler and duller. In winter : upper parts tinged with 
brown ; under parts with feathers edged with white. Young : under parts 
spotted ; upper parts streaked with white. Young in first winter : head 
and neck brownish gray, like upper parts ; rufous of breast paler, more 
olivaceous. Length: 10-11, wing 5.20-5.70, tail 3.80-4.70, bill .85-.95. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition and Boreal zones in the western 
United States from the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains to" the 
Pacific, and from British Columbia south to Lower California and Oaxaca, 
Mexico. 

Nest. — On prairies, on the ground, and, in timber, near the ground ; 
compact and bulky, made of leaves, stems, twigs, and grasses, plastered 
together with mud, and lined with fine stems and rootlets. Eggs : usually 
4, greenish blue. 

Food. — Largely ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and the injurious large 
black crickets; also hackberry, mistletoe and pepper berries, and other 
small fruit. 

In the east the robin is the familiar bird of the dooryard, like the 
mockingbird of the south, or the brown chippie, the house finch, and 
the lark sparrow in parts of California. But in the west he nests in 
the mountains or far north, and when seen in winter is shy and 
nervous. Flocks are sometimes seen eating ivy berries in the ceme- 
teries of San Francisco, but are so timid they hide in the brush in 
great trepidation on the approach of man. 

The robin song, one of the most familiar and best loved of the 
east, is not often heard, but in southern California during the spring 
migration I have seen flocks of twenty birds in an oak top singing 
their soft evening song, and at Stanford I once heard a wonderful 
robin chorus equal to the best daybreak chorus one hears in the 
east. 

In the Sierra as in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona, in 
both Transition and Canadian zones, the robins breed abundantly, 
and as you pass are seen shaking their tails as they chirrup in their 
old familiar way. In the neighborhood of Lake Tahoe we found 
large numbers of them gathered in a field alive with grasshoppers, 
and they were running about in all directions, tipping forward to 
catch the insects in characteristic manner. 

GENUS IXOREUS. 
General Characters. — Like Merula, but bill not notched. 

KEY TO FEMALES. 

1. Browner, with white markings restricted. Sitkan district. 

naevius, p. 473. 
1'. Grayer, white markings more extensive. Interior Alaska. 

meruloides, p. 474 



474 THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

763. Ixoreus nsevius (Gmel). Varied Thrush. 

Adult male. — Under parts bright rusty brown, throat crossed by blackish 
necklace ; belly mixed white and gray ; upper parts dark bluish slate, 
feathers edged with lighter ; wings banded and edged with brown ; side 
of head black, bordered above by brown streako Adult female : similar, 
but much duller ; upper pai'ts washed with brown — deeper in winter — 
and collar obscured by brown feathers. Young : like female, but duller ; 
collar less distinct, and more or less spotted with yellowish brown ; feath- 
ers of breast edged with dusky and those of upper parts with^ distinct 
paler shaft streaks. Length : 9-10, wing 4.90-5.20, tail about 3.60-3.80, 
bill about 1. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Boreal zone along the Pacific coast from Ber- 
ing Strait to Humboldt County, Cal. ; winters from Washington to Lower 
California. 

Nest. — Compact and bulky, in bushes and small trees. Eggs : 4, pale 
greenish blue, sparingly speckled with brown. 

Food. — Caterpillars, weevils, ants, millipeds, mast, and wild berries. 

The varied thiTishes reach California in November, and flocks of 
the splendid beauties, with orange breast and dark necklace, may be 
seen in winter in the arboretum at Stanford and other places where 
California holly berries are to be found. The birds are also es- 
pecially fond of manzanita berries. In Placer County, Mr. Wil- 
liams says, they live on insect food in winter, and are extremely shy, 
rarely leaving the dark, heavily wooded canyons or hillsides. In 
Oregon, Mr. Anthony tells us they are timid on their first arrival, 
but grow tame enough to visit the ranches. They leave California 
in March, and at that time Dr. Mearns found them abundant and 
tame at Fort Klamath, coming about the houses fearlessly in great 
numbers. 

Mr. Fuertes, in describing the song of the varied thrush as he 
heard it in Alaska, says that it is " most unique and mysterious, and 
may be heard in the deep still spruce forests for a great distance, 
being very loud and wonderfully penetrating. It is a single long- 
drawn note, uttered in several different keys, some of the high- 
pitched ones with a strong vibrant trill. Each note grows out of 
nothing, swells to a full tone, and then fades away to nothing until 
one is carried away with the mysterious song. When heard near 
by, as is seldom possible, the pure yet resonant quality of the note 
makes one thrill with a strange feeling, and is as perfectly the voice 
of the cool, dark, peaceful solitude which the bird chooses for its 
home as could be imagined. The hermit thrush himself is no more 
serene than this wild dweller in the western spruce forests." 

763a. I. n. meruloides {Swains.). Pale Varied Thrush. 

Adult female. — Similar to female noByews, but grayer and paler, white 
markings more extended, wing longer, more pointed. 

Distribution. — Breeds in interior of northern Alaska ; migrates to south- 
ern California. 




VARIED THRUSH 



THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 475 

GENUS SAXICOLA. 

765. Saxicola oenanthe (Linn.). Wheatear. 

Adult male. — Upper parts ash gray ; wings and terminal third of tail 
black ; basal two thirds of tail, except middle feathers, white ; forehead, 
superciliary, and upper tail coverts, white ; side of head with black stripe ; 
under parts buffy anteriorly, white posteriorly. Adult female : duller, 
black replaced by dusky. Winter plumage : upper parts brown ; white on 
tail as in summer ; wings with lighter edgings ; under parts rusty buff ; 
side of head without distinct streak. Young : like female, but feathers 
with dark bars and pale centers at tip. Male : wing 3.58-3.98. Female : 
wing- 3.54-3.90. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Alaska ; migrates to Asia ; accidental in Col- 
orado. 

Nest. — Among rocks and stone walls, made of grasses, lined with feath- 
ers. Eggs : 3 to 6, pale greenish blue. 

A specimen of the wheatear was taken at Boulder, Colorado, by 
Minot, in 1880. 

GENUS SIALIA. 

General Characters. — Bill not more than half as long as head, notched 
near tip ; feet short and stout ; tarsus not longer than middle toe ; side 
toes unequal ; claws strongly curved. 



KEY TO ADULT MALES. 

1. Under parts without blue. 

2. Sides of neck blue. Rocky Mountains to Atlantic . sialis, p. 475. 
2'. Sides of neck brown. Southern Arizona .... azurea, p. 476. 
1'. Under parts with blue. 

2. Under parts wholly blue and white arctica, p. 476. 

2'. Under parts blue and brown. 

3. Back wholly chestnut bairdi, p. 476. 

3'. Back blue in middle, chestnut on sides . occidentalis, p. 476. 

766. Sialia sialis (Linn.). Bluebird. 

Adult male. — Upper parts bright blue ; under parts reddish brown, 
fading to white on belly. In winter, 
feathers of back bordered with brown. 
Adult female : upper parts gray, deep- 
ening to blue on rump, wings, and 
tail ; under parts dull brown, becom- 
ing whitish on belly. Young : upper 
parts dark gray, streaked with white ; 
under parts gray, spotted with white. 
Male: length 5.70-7.00, wing, 3.90- 
4.15, tail 2.60-2.90, bill .62-.67. Fe- 
male: wing 3.80-3.90, tail 2.50-2.60. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition 
and Upper Sonoran zones from Mani- 
toba and Ontario south to Gulf of 
Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the 
Rocky Mountains ; winters from the 




From Biological Survey, U S Dept of 

Agriculture 

Fig. 601. 



middle states to the Gulf states and Cuba. 



476 THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 

Nest. — In holes in trees, stumps, posts, or bird-boxes ; made largely of 
dried g-rasses. Eggs : 4 to 7, plain pale grefenish blue. 

Food. — Largely caterpillars, grasshoppers, and crickets ; also wild ber- 
ries, like hackberry and woodbine. 

The eastern bluebird ranges west to the base of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, being a rare summer resident in Colorado. 

766a. S. S. azurea Baird. Azure Bluebird. 

Similar to sialis, but sides of neck brown, and under parts less ruddy 
brown ; upper parts sometimes greenish blue, suggesting arctica. Length : 
6.40-7.10. Male: wing 4.05-4.20, tail 2.70-2.95, bill .47-.50. Female: 
wing 3.90, tail 2.55. 

Distribution. — Southern Arizona and Mexico. 

767. Sialia mexicana occidentalis {Towns.). Wsstern Blue- 

bird. 

Adult male. — Upper parts dark purplish blue and chestnut ; throat pur- 
plish blue ; breast dark rufous ; rest of under parts mixed brown, dull 
purplish and gray. Adult female : head, neck, and upper parts gray, washed 
with brown on back ; rump and tail bright blue ; outside tail feathers 
edged with white. -Young : like young of sialis, but bill slenderer. Male : 
length 6.50-7.12, wing 3.95-4.45, tail 2.62-3.05, bill .45-.50. Female: 
wing about 4, tail 2.50. 

Distribution. — Breeds in Transition zone of the Pacific coast, from Brit- 
ish Columbia to California, and east to western Nevada and Idaho ; casu- 
ally during migrations to New Mexico. 

Nest. — In woodpecker hole high in a pine or other tree. Eggs : ( 1 set) 
6, pale blue. 

Food. — Largely caterpillars ; also crickets, weevils, ants, moths, locusts, 
and grapes in winter months when insect food is less abundant. 

The western bluebird is often seen on roadside fences from which 
it flies down to pick up insects. In the pine woods it sits close to the 
tree trunks on short broken-off branches. It' has the soft warble of 
its kind, and the delicate bluebird way of lifting the wings while 
perching. 

767a. S. m. bairdi Ridgw. Chestnut-backed Bluebird. 

Similar to occidentalis, but back wholly chestnut. 

Distribution. — Transition and Canadian zones of the Rocky Mountain 
district, south to Arizona, Texas, and northwestern Mexico. 

Food. — Partly grasshoppers, weevils, crickets, and sumac berries. 

The chestnut-backed bluebird extends east as far as Pueblo, Colo- 
rado, during migration, and breeds from the base of the foothills 
up to 9500 feet. ^^^^^^ ^/ _ /y 

768. Sialia arctica Swains. Mountain Bluebird. 

Adult male. — Upper parts light purplish blue or greenish blue ; under 
parts pale greenish blue. In winter color dulled by dull brownish tips to 
feathers above and below. Adult female : upper parts brownish gray, wings 
and tail bright blue ; under parts fawn color, with blue showing through. 



THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 477 

Young: brownish or grayish, streaked with white; wings and tail blue. 
Male: length 6.50-7.90, wing 4.60-4.80, tail 3.00-3.15. Female: length 
7.00-7.20, wing about 4.25, tail 2.75-2.90. 

Distribution. — Breeds mainly in Boreal zone, chiefly in the interior 
from Great Slave Lake south to New Mexico, and frona the western part 
of the Plains to the Pacific. 

Nest. — In old woodpecker hole ; among rocks or about houses. Eggs : 
5 to 7, pale greenish blue. 

Food. — Largely crickets, also cicadas, grasshoppers, ants, weevils, and, 
in winter, unpicked grapes and seeds of mistletoe and hackberry. 

The exquisite coloring of the arctic bluebird makes it seem the 
gentlest, most beautiful of all the lovely bluebirds. 

In the Sierra Nevada in August, families of young are common 
in the Murray pine meadows. The birds hunt largely in the open, 
and are in the habit of hovering a few feet from the ground as they 
look about for insects. In Colorado, Prof. Cooke says, the birds 
wander up above timberline to at least 13,000 feet. 



APPENDIX. 



For the use of beg-inners who do not collect and have not access to 
collections of skins, and who may consequently find the technical keys 
difficult, the following color key has been made to the more conspicuous 
birds one meets in the field. Its use by any one who has skins to consult 
is earnestly deprecated, as it is much better to work a little harder and 
learn more — to begin at the beginning, with ' Keys to Orders,' and follow 
through to the species, so learning something of the classification of birds, 
something of their fundamental relations, rather than to find their mere 
names arbitrarily by the use of purely superficial characters. 

FIELD COLOR KEY TO GENERA OF SOME OF THE 
COMMON PASSERINE BIRDS. 

(All birds preceding the Order Passeres are omitted, including all the 
water birds, grouse, quail, turkeys, doves, hawks, owls, cuckoos, kingfish- 
ers, woodpeckers, goatsuckers, swifts, and hummingbirds.) 

ADULT MALES IN BREEDING PLUMAGE. 

BIRDS WITH PLUMAGE PARTLY OR WHOLLY 

I. BLACK. IV. BLUE. 

II. YELLOW. V. GREEN, 

in. RED. VL BROWN OR GRAY. 

I. BIRDS WITH BLACK IN PLUMAGE. 

1. Plumage mainly or wholly black. 

2. Wholly black (with more or less gloss) . 

3. Length about 16-26 . Crows and Ravens ; see Corvus, p. 279. 
3'. Length about 8.20-13.50. 

4. Tail even, not folded laterally. 

Brewer and Rusty Blackbirds ; see Scolecophagus, p. 299. 
4'. Tail graduated, folded laterally. 

Grackles ; see Quiscalus, p. 30L 
2'. Mainly black. 

3. Under parts largely white. 



480 APPENDIX 

4. Wings and tail metallic .... Magpies ; see Pica, p. 269. 
4'. Wings and tail not metallic. 

5. Sides brown . . . (part of) TowHEES ; see Pipilo, p. 363. 
5'. Sides not brown. 

6. Sides pinkish or buffy . (part of) JuNCOS ; see Junco, p. 345. 
6'. Sides white like belly. 

Black Phcebes ; see Sayornis, p. 254. 
3'. Under parts not white. 

4. Head yellow or brown, in contrast to black body. 

5. Head yellow ... Yellow-headed Blackbird, p. 288. 

5'. Head brown Cowbirds ; see Molothrus, p. 287. 

4'. Head partly or wholly black like body. 

5. Back of head whitish or buffy brown . . Bobolink, p. 286. 
5'. Head wholly black. 

6. Wings conspicuously marked with red.- 

Red-winged Blackbirds ; see Agelaius, p. 289. 
6'. Wings conspicuously marked with white. 

7. Crested ; white patch on quills . Phainopepla, p. 390. 
7'. Not crested ; white patch on coverts. 

Lark Bunting, p. 377. 
, Plumage not mainly or wholly black. 
2. Under parts partly or wholly yellow. 

3. Head and neck red Louisiana Tanager, p. 379. 

3'. Head and neck not red. 

4. Back streaked on brownish or grayish. 
5. Chest with black patch or crescent. 

6. Under parts deep yellow, except for black crescent. 

Meadowlarks ; see Sturnella, p. 292. 
6'. Under parts mainly or partly white. 

7. Under parts white or pale yellow, except for black chest 
patch ; wings without brown patch. 

Horned Larks, see Otocoris, p. 266. 

7'. Breast bright yellow ; throat patch black ; wings with 

brown patches ....... Dickcissel, p. 377. 

5'. Chest without black crescent, under parts black, white, and 

yellow Audubon Warbler, p. 413. 

4'. Back not streaked on brownish or grayish. 
5. Head and breast gray ; tail black. 

Arkansas and Cassin Kingbirds ; see Tyrannus, pp. 
248, 249. 
5'. Head and breast not gray ; tail not always black. 
6. Plumage largely black and brown. 

Black-headed Grosbeak, p. 372. 
6'. Plumage almost wholly black and yellow or olive green. 
7. Wholly yellow or olive green, except for black on head. 
8. Head with black cap . Pileolated Warbler, p. 428. 
8'. Head with black patch on sides of face. 

Yellow-throats ; see Geothlypis, p. 424. 
7'. Wings and tail, if not back, as well as crown, black. 
8. Length about 4.50-5.40. 

Goldfinches ; see Astragalinus, p. 319. 
8'. Length about 6.50-10.00. 

9. Bill long and slender . Orioles ; see Icterus, p. 293. 
9'. Bill short and thick. 

Western Evening Grosbeak, p. 307. 



APPENDIX 481 

2'. Under parts without yellow. 
3. Upper parts brown, streaked. 

4. Crown striped black and white ; under parts gray or white. 

Crown Sparrows ; see Zonotrichia, p. 337. 
4'. Crown black ; chest black. 

Lapland Longspur ; see Calcarius, p. 325. 
3'. Upper parts not brown streaked. 
4. Throat with black patch. 
5. Back streaked with black. 

Black-throated Gray Warbler, p. 418. 
5'. Back not streaked. 

6. Black of throat extending- over chest. 

Black-throated Sparrows ; see Amphispiza, p. 350. 
6'. Black of throat not extending over chest. 

Chickadees ; see Parus, p. 455. 
4'. Throat without black patch. 

5. Tail forked, plumage naarked with salmon or red. 

SCISSOR-T AILED FLYCATCHER, p. 246. 

5'. Tail not forked, plumage not marked with salmon or red. 
6. Back blue black or bluish gray ; length 4-6. 
7. Back blue black ; throat chestnut. 

Cliff Swallow, p. 384. 
7'. Back bluish gray. 

8. Tail extremely short . Nuthatches ; see Sitta, p. 453. 
8'. Tail long . . Gnatcatchers ; see PoZiop^i'Za, p. 465. 
6'. Back gray, brownish gray, or ash gray ; length 8-13. 
7. Tail mainly black or white ; back of head gray. 
8. Tail mainly white ; length about 12-13. 

Nutcracker, p. 282. 
8'. Tail mainly or wholly black ; length about 7.50-10.75. 

9. Belly brown Say Phcebe, p. 255. 

9 . Belly gray or white . Shrikes ; see Lanius, p. 391. 
7'. Tail mainly gray ; back of head black. 

Oregon and Rocky Mountain Jays ; see Perisoreus, 
p. 277. 

II. BIRDS WITH YELLOW IN PLUMAGE. 

1. Under parts mainly or wholly yellow. 

2. Upper parts streaked . . . Meadowlarks ; see Sturnella, p. 292. 
2'. Upper parts not streaked. 

3. Plumage yellow and green, without gray or black. 

Yellow Warblers ; see Dendroica, p. 407. 
3'. Plumage with gray or black. 
4. Length about 6.50-10.50. 

5. Head and neck red, yellow, black, or yellow and black. 

6. Head and neck red .... Louisiana Tanager, p. 379. 
6'. Head and neck black, or yellow and black. 
7. Upper parts olive green, lores black. 

Long-tailed Chat, p. 426. 
7'. Upper parts black and yellow. 

Orioles ; see Icterus, p. 293. 
5'. Head and neck gray. 

6. Wings and tail marked with rufous. 

Crested Flycatchers ; see Mytarchus, p. 251. 



482 APPENDIX 

6' Wings and tail not marked with rufous. 
Cassin and Arkansas Kingbirds ; see Tyranniis, pp. 248, 249. 
4'. Length about 4.00-5.40. 
5. Wings and tail black. 

■ Goldfinches ; see Astragalinus, p. 319. 
5'. Wings and tail green. 

6. Crown black Pileolated Warbler, p. 428. 

6'. Patches on sides of face black. 

Yellow-throats ; see Geothlypis, p. 424. 
1 ', Under parts not mainly or wholly yellow. 
2. Upper parts largely black. 

3. Head and neck yellow ; under parts black and yellow. 

Yellow-headed Blackbird, p. 288. 
3'. Head and neck black ; under parts brown and yellow. 

Black-headed Grosbeak, p. 372. 
2'. Upper parts not largely, if at all, black. 
3. Head and neck yellow or slate gray. 

4. Head and neck yellow ; wings with chestnut patches. 

Verdin, p. 462. 
4'. Head and neck slate gray ; wings without chestnut. 

Macgillivray Warbler, p. 424. 
3'. Head and neck not yellow or slate gray. 

4. Head with black, yellow, and red crown patch. 

Golden-crowned Kinglets, p. 463. 
4'. Head without crown patch. 

5. Head with black horn-like appendages, throat yellow, tail 
black, edged with white. 

(part of) Horned Larks ; see Otocoris, p. 266. 
5'. Head without horn-like appendages ; throat not yellow ; tail 
with yellow terminal band. 

Waxwings ; see Ampelis, p. 387. 

III. BIRDS WITH RED OR PINK IN PLUMAGE. 

1 . Under parts mainly or wholly red or pink. 
2. Upper parts largely reddish or pinkish. 

3. Bill crossed Crossbills ; see Loxia, p. 313. 

3'. Bill not crossed. 

4. Head crested ..... Cardinals ; see Cardinalis, p. 369. 
4'. Head not crested. 
5. Bill thick and short. 
6. Length about 5.50-7.00. 

Purple Finches ; see Carpodacus, p. 309. 
6'. Length about 8-9. 

Pine Grosbeaks ; see Pinicola, p. 308. 
5'. Bill not short and thick . Tanagers : see Piranga, p. 379. 
2'. Upper parts not largely reddish or pinkish. 

3. Head purplish blue Nonpareil, p. 376. 

3. Head red Vermilion Flycatcher, p. 264. 

r. Under parts not mainly red or pink. 
2. Plumage strikingly colored. 

3. Plumage salmon or pink, black, and white. 

4. Tail forked Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, p. 246. 

4'. Tail not forked. 

5. Under parts white, with rose patch. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, p. 372. 



APPENDIX 483 

5'. Under parts black, white, and salmon or red. 

Redstart, p. 429. 
S'.Plumag-e black or brown, marked with red or rose color. 
4. Body black, with red wing coverts. 

Red-winged Blackbirds ; see Agelaius, p. 289. 
4'. Body brownish, with rose on under parts, 

PyrrhuiiOxias ; see Pyrrhuloxia, p. 370. 
2'. Plumage not strikingly colored. 
3. Crown with red, yellow, and black. 

Golden-crowned Kinglet, p. 463. 
3'. Crown with concealed red patch. 

4. Rest of plumage wholly black, slate gray, and white. 

Kingbird, p. 247. 
4'. Rest of plumage not wholly black and white. 

5. Upper parts olive green ; under parts dull whitish. 

Kinglets ; see Begulus, p. 463. 
5'. Upper parts grayish ; under parts gray and yellow. 

Arkansas and Cassin Flycatchers ; see Tyrannus, 
p. 247. 

IV. BIRDS WITH BLUE IN PLUMAGE. 

1. Upper parts glossy steel blue. 

2. Tail forked for about half its length . . Barn Swallow, p. 384. 
2'. Tail forked for much less than half its length. 

Purple Martins ; see Progne, p. 383. 
1'. Upper parts not glossy steel blue. 
2. Length about 11.00-13.75. 

3. Crested Steller Jays ; see Cyanocitta, p. 271. 

3'. Not crested. 

4. Plumage blue and gray or white. 

California and Woodhouse Jays ; see Aphelocoma, p. 274. 
4'. Plumage uniform grayish blue .... Pinon Jay, p. 284. 
2'. Length about 4.25-8.00. 

3. Bill long and slender .... Bluebirds ; see Sialia, p. 475. 
3'. Bill short and thick. 

4. Under parts red or partly brownish. 

5. Under parts bright red, head purplish blue, back green. 

Nonpareil, p. 376. 
5'. Under parts blue, white, and brown, head and back blue. 

Lazuli Bunting, p. 375. 
4'. Under parts dark blue like upper parts. 
5. Wings with brown patches ; length 7-8. 

Western Blue Grosbeak, p. 373. 
5'. Wings without brown patches ; length 4.75-5.75. 

Indigo Bunting, p. 374. 

V. BIRDS WITH GREEN IN PLUMAGE. 

1. Plumage green and yellow, marked with black. 
2. Wings and tail black. 
3. Length about 4.00-4.50. 

(]>art of) Goldfinches ; see Astragalinus, p. 319, 
3'. Length about 7.00-8.50 . Western Evening Grosbeak, p. 307, 
2'. Wings and tail not black. 



484 APPENDIX 

3. Head and neck gray . . . Macgillivray Warbler, p. 424. 
3'. Head and neck yellow, marked with black. 

4. Crown black Pileolated Warbler, p. 428. 

4'. Crown not black. 

5. Face with black lores . . . Long -tailed Chat, p. 426. 
5'. Face with black side patches. 

Yellow-throats ; see Geothlypis, p. 424. 
1'. Plumage not green and yellow marked with black. 
2. Head with crown patch. 

3. Crown patch bright red, or red, yellow, and black. 

Kinglets ; see Regulus, p. 463. 
3'. Crown patch reddish brown , . Green-tailed Towhee, p. 368. 
2'. Head without crown patch. 

3. Under parts red, head purplish blue, back g-lossy green. 

Nonpareil, p. 376. 

3'. Under parts yellowish or whitish ; head and back mainly green or 

gray Vireos ; see Vireo, p. 394. 

VI. BIRDS WITH PLUMAGE LARGELY BROWN OR 
GRAY. 

1. Back streaked. 

2. Crown bright reddish brown or black. 
3. Crown black. 

4. Back streaked with white. 

Marsh Wrens ; see Cistothorus, p. 449. 
4'. Back streaked with black .... Harris Sparrow, p. 337. 
3'. Crown bright reddish brown. 

Western Chipping Sparrow, p. 342. 
2'. Crown not reddish brown or black. 
3. Top of head streaked. 

4. Head and back uniform ; tail feathers wholly brown, sharp 

pointed Creepers ; see Certhia, p. 451. 

4'. Head and back not uniform; tail feathers marked with white, 

not sharp pointed Xark Sparrow, p. 336. 

3'. Top of head not streaked. 

4. Under parts heavily spotted ; outer tail feathers not white. 

Cactus Wrens ; see Heleodytes, p. 442. 
4'. Under parts more or less streaked; outer tail feathers marked 

with white Pipits ; see Anthus, p. 431. 

1'. Back not streaked. 

2. Under parts reddish or orang-e or more or less spotted. 
3. Under parts reddish or orange. 

4. Chest with dark necklace . Varied Thrushes; seeIxoreus,-p. 473. 
4'. Chest without dark necklace . . Robins ; see Merula, p. 472. 
3'. Under parts not reddish or orange. 
4. Tail strikingly marked. 

5. Tail with white corners .... Sage Thrasher, p. 435. 

5'. Tail with black crescent Rock Wren, p. 443. 

4'. Tail not strikingly marked. 

5. Tail cinnamon brown, barred with black. 

Canyon Wrens ; see Catherpes, p. 444, 
5'. Tail not cinnamon brown, nor barred with black. 

6. Tail 3.00-3.40 . . . Thrushes ; see Hylocichla, p. 468. 
6'. Tail 4.25-5.80 . . . Thrashers ; see Torostoma, p. 437. 



APPENDIX 485 

2'. Under parts not reddish or spotted. 
3. Upper parts bluish gray. 

4. Tail very short Nuthatches ; see Sitta^ p. 453. 

4'. Tail not very short . . Gnatcatcheks ; see Polioptila, p. 465. 
3'. Upper parts gray or brown. 

4. Throat black Chickadees ; see Parus, p. 455. 

4'. Throat not black. 

5. Head crested Titmice ; see Parus, p. 455. 

5'. Head not crested. 
6. Tail very short. 

7. Plumage slate gray Water Ouzel, p. 432. 

7'. Plumage dark brown. 

Western Winter Wren, p. 449. 
6'. Tail not very short. 

7. Wings and tail strikingly marked with white. 

Mockingbird, p. 435. 
7'. Wings and tail not strikingly marked with white. 

8. Plumage dark slate gray .... Catbird, p. 437. 
8'. Plumage not dark slate gray. 

9. Plumage deep brown ; wings and tail barred with 
black. 
10. Head with white superciliary. 

Bewick Wrens ; see Thryomanes, p. 446. 
10'. Head without white superciliary. 

House Wrens ; see Troglodytes, p. 448. 

9'. Plumage dull smoky gray or brown ; wings and tail 

not barred . Bush-Tits ; see Psaltriparus, p. 460. 



486 ADDENDA. 

ADDENDA. 

Page 70. To Order Herodiones add, at beginning : — 

FAMILY PLATALEIDiE: SPOONBILLS. 
GENUS AJAIA. 

183. Ajaia ajaja (Linn.). Roseate Spoonbill. 

Bill wide and flat, head naked, neck scantily feathered, toes long and 
slightly webbed at base, a slight crest on lower neck. Plumage of a delicate 
pink, becoming white on shoulders and neck, and with glossy red lesser 
wing coverts and upper tail coverts. Skin of head black, with orange 
around eyes and on chin. Length: 28-85, wing 14.10-15.30, bill 6.20-7.15, 
greatest width of bill, 2.00-2.20. 

Distribution. — Coast of Gulf and southern Atlantic states, and south- 
ward through tropical America. 

The roseate spoonbill has been reported from Brownsville, and is 
said to be fairly common along the Texas coast. 

Page 458. Before 737. Parus slateri, add : — 

736a. Parus carolinensis agilis Senn. Plumbeous Chickadee. 

Top of head and throat black ; wings and tail edged with white ; rest of 
upper parts pale plumbeous ; under parts white with only a trace of buff 
on sides and flanks. Wing: 2.43, tail 2.35, bill .38. 

Distribution. — Texas, west to Victoria, Bee, and Concho counties. 



CHANGES MADE IN THE WESTERN BIRDS OF THE 
CHECK-LIST BY THE NOMENCLATURE COMMIT- 
TEE OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UN- 
ION, APRIL, 1903. 

GENERIC CHANGES. 

Page 75. Subgenus Garzetta has been changed to Genus Egretta. 

Page 168. Subgenus ^salon has been changed to TinnuncuCus. 

Page 170. Subgenus Tinnunculus has been changed to Cerchneis. 

Page 331. The genus Ammodramus has been subdivided. Subgenus Pas- 
serculus has been made Genus Passerculus, including numbers 542-544 
(pp. 331-333); Subgenus Centronyx has been put under Genus Coturniculus, 
which includes 545, bairdi, and 546a, bimaculatus (pp. 333, 334) ; and 
Genus Ammodramus has been restricted to 5'i7a-550b, occidentalis to 
sennetti (pp. 334-336). 



ADDENDA. 487 

Page 385. Genus Tachycineta has been divided into Genus Iridoprocne for 

bicolor, and Genus Tachycineta for lepida. 
Page 455. Subgenus Lophophanes has been changed to Genus Bceolophus. 

The following subgenera have been raised to full genera : 

Ardea, p. 75. Ochthodromus, p. 105. 

Herodias, p. 75. Podasocys, p. 105. 

Dichromanassa, p. 76. Asyndesmus, p. 217. 

Florida, p. 76. Centurus, p. 218. 

Butorides, p. 76. Nuttallornis, p, 257. 

Nyctanassa, p. 78. Megaquiscalus, p. 302. 

Actodromas, p. 91. Hesperiphona, p. 307. 

Pelidna, p. 93. Passerculus, p. 331. 

Oxyechus, p. 103. Telmatodytes, p. 450. 

^gialitis, p. 104. Parus, p. 457. 

SPECIFIC CHANGES. 

Page 78. Nycticorax violaceus becomes Nyctanassa violacea. 

Page 103. y^gialitis vocifera becomes Oxyechus vociferus. 

Page 105. jEgialitis wilsonia becomes Ochthodromus wilsonius. 

Page 105. yEgialitis montana becomes Podasocys montanus. 

Page 136. ilf. g.fera (Vieill.) becomes ilf. ^r. silvestris (Vieill.). 

Page 171. F. s. deserticola Mearns becomes J^. s. phaloena (Less.). 

Page 178. Syrnium nehulosum (Forst.) becomes Syrnium varium (Barton). 

S. n. helveolum Bangs becomes >S. v. helveolum (Bangs). 
Page 179. Scotiaptex cinerea (Gmel.) becomes Scotiaptex nebulosa (Forst. ). 
Page 270. Pica pica hudsonica hecovaes Pica pica hudsonia. 
Page 307. Coccothraustes vespertinus montanus becomes Hesperiphona ves- 

pertina montana. 
Pages 356-359. Melospiza melodia becomes Melospiza cinerea melodia and 

all other subspecies cinerea instead of melodia. 
Page 376. Sporophila morelleti sharpei Lawr. becomes Sporophila morel- 

leti (Bonap.). Morellet Seed-eater. 
Page 415. 656.1. Dendroica nigrifrons Brewst. becomes 656a. D. a. nigri- 

frons (Brewst.). 
Page 426. Geothlypis poliocephala ralphi Ridgw. becomes Geothlypis polioce- 

pha^a Baird. 

NEW SPECIES ACCEPTED OR REJECTED. 

Page 203. Dryobates pubescens turati is accepted as 394e. 

Page 276. Aphelocoma couchi becomes 482a. A. s. couchii (Baird). 

Page 322, 530a. A. p. arizonce (Coues). This is eliminated from the 

Check-Iiist. 
Pages 357, 358. santcecrucis and ingersolli are rejected ; pusillula and cooper i 

are accepted as 5811 and 581m. 
Page 384. Hirundo erythrogastra palmeri is rejected. 



488 ADDENDA. 

Page 896. After Vireo gilvus add : — 

627a. V. g. swainsonii {Baird). Western Warbling Vireo. 

Like gilvus, but smaller and with slenderer bill, coloration duller 
and darker. Length: 4.75-5.40, wing- 2.55-2.85, tail 2.00-2.30, bill from 
nostril .29-.ol, depth at base .15-.16. 

Distribution. — Western temperate North America; south through Mexico. 

The addition of swainsonii restricts the distribution of gilvus to : — 

Eastern United States, west nearly to base of Rocky Mountains ; north 
to Manitoba. 

Page 425. Geothlypis trichas scirpicola is rejected, sinuosa accepted as 681e. 

Page 428. WHsonia pusilla chryseola is accepted as 685b. 

Page 453. Sitta carolinensis nelsoni is accepted as 727c. The addition of 
nelsoni restricts the distribution of aculeata to the Pacific coast district 
from British Columbia to Lower California, east to the eastern base of 
the Sierra Nevada, and middle Oregon. (Ridgway, MS.) 

Page 459. After P. r. neglectus add : — 

741b. p. r. barlowi J- Grinnell. Barlow Chickadee. 

Like neglectus, but sides and flanks without rufous. 

Distribution. — Coast range of California from San Francisco Bay to 
Monterey. 



INDEX 



Abert Towhee, 368. 
Acanthis, 304, 318. 

hornemannii exilipes, 318. 

linaria, 318, 319. 
Aecipiter, 147, 151. 

atricapillus, 151, 152. 
striatulus, 151, 153. 

eooperii, 151, 152. 

velox, 151. 
Actitis, 88, 100. 

niacularia, 100. 
Actochelidon, 28. 
Actodromas, 91. 
-^chmophorus, 5. 

oecidentalis, 5. 
^gialitis, 102, 103. 

meloda circumeineta, 103, 104. 

montana, 103, 105. 

nivosa, 103, 105. 

semipalmata, 103, 104. 

voeifera, 103. 

wilsonia, 103, 105. 
Aeronautes, 229, 232. 

melanoleucus, 232. 
iEsalon, 168. 
Ag-elaius, 286, 289. 

g-ubernator calif ornicus, 289, 291. 

phoeniceus, 289, 290. 
caurinus, 289, 291. 
fortis, 289, 291. 
neutralis, 289, 291. 
richmondi, 289, 290. 
sonoriensis, 289, 290. 

tricolor, 289, 292. 
Aiken Screech Owl, 184. 
Aimophila, 306, 353. 

carpalis, 353. 

ruficeps, 353, 354. 
eremceca, 353, 355. 
scottii, 353, 354. 
Aix, 44, 55. 

sponsa, 55. 
Alaska Hermit Thrush, 471. 

Horned Lark, 266. 



Alaskan Longspur, 327. 

Pine Grosbeak, 309. 

Three-toed Woodpecker, 209. 

Wood Pewee, 258. 

Yellow Warbler, 412. 
Alauda, 265. 

arvensis, 265. 
Alaudidse, 110, 245, 265. 
Albatross, Black-footed, 32. 

Short-tailed, 32. 

Sooty, 33. 

Yellow-nosed, 33. 
Alcedinidse, 109, 193, 198. 
Aleidse, 2, 11. 
Alder Flycatcher, 261. 
Allen Hummingbird, 241. 
Alma Thrush, 471. 
Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker, 209. 
American Bittern, 73. 

Black Tern, 31. 

Coot, 83. 

Crow, 281. 

Golden-eye, 59. 

Goshawk, 152. 

Hawk Owl, 188. 

Merg-anser, 46. 

Raven, 279. 

Redstart, 429. 

Scoter, 63. 

Three-toed Woodpecker, 209. 

White Pelican, 42. 

Woodcock, 88. 
Amizilis, 233, 243. 

cerviniventris chaleonota, 243. 

tzacatl, 243. 
Ammodramus, 306, 330, 335. 

bairdii, 331, 333. 

beldingi, 331, 332. 

henslowii oecidentalis, 330, 334. 

leeonteii, 330, 335. 

maritimus sennetti, 830, 335. 

nelsoni, 330, 335. 

rostratus, 330, 333. 



490 



INDEX 



sandwichensis, 331. 
alaudinus, 331, 332. 
bryanti, 331, 332. 

savannarum bimaculatus, 331, 334. 
Ampelid^, 111,245,387. 
Ampelis, 387. 

cedrorum 388. 

garrulus, 388. 
Amphispiza, 255, 305, 350. 

belli, 350, 351. 

nevadeiisis, 350, 351. 

bilineata, 350. 
desertieola, 350. 
Anas, 44, 47. 

boschas, 48. 

f ulvigula maculosa, 48, 49, 
Anatidse, 3, 44. 
Ancient Murrelet, 15. 
Anhinga, 39. 

anhinga, 39. 
Anhingidse, 3, 39. 
Ani, Groove-billed, 193. 
Anna Hummingbird, 237. 
Anser, 45, 66. 

albifrons gambeli, 66. 
Anseres, 1, 3, 44. 
Ant-eating Woodpecker, 216. 
Anthony Green Heron, 77. 

Towhee, 367. 

Vireo, 399. 
Anthus, 431. 

pensilvanicus, 431. 

spragueii, 431, 432. 
Antrostomus, 222. 

carolinensis, 222. 

voeiferus, 222, 223. 

macromystax, 222, 223. 
Aphelocoma, 269, 274. 

californica, 274, 275. 
obseura, 274, 276. 

couchi, 274, 276. 

cyanotis, 274. 

insularis, 274, 276. 

sieberii arizonse, 274, 276. 

texana, 274, 275. 

woodhouseii, 274, 275. 
Aphriza, 106. 

virgata, 106. 
Aphrizidse, 4, 84, 106. 
Aplomado Falcon, 170. 
Aquila, 147, 163. 

chrysaetos, 163. 
Archibuteo, 147, 162. 
' ferrugineus, 162, 163. 

lagopus sancti-johannis, 162. 
Arctic Horned Owl, 186. 

Tern, 30. 



Three-toed Woodpecker. 208. 

Towhee, 364. 
Ardea, 73, 74. 

cserulea, 74, 76. 

candidissima, 74, 75. 

egretta, 74, 75. 

herodias, 74, 75. 
fannini, 74, 75. 

rufeseens, 75, 76. 

virescens, 75, 76. 
anthonyi, 75, 77. 
Ardeidffi, 4, 70, 72. 
Ardetta, 72, 74. 

exilis, 74. 
Arenaria, 106. 

melanocephala, 106, 107. 

morinella, 106, 107. 
Arizona Cardinal, 370. 

Crested Flycatcher, 252. 

Goldfinch, 322. 

Hooded Oriole, 296, 299. 

Jay, 276. 

Junco, 349. 

Pyrrhuloxia, 370. 

Woodpecker, 206. 
Arkansas Goldfinch, 322. 

Kingbird, 248. 
Arremonops, 305, 363. 

rufivirgatus, 363. 
Ash-throated Flycatcher, 253. 
Ashy Petrel, 38. 
Asio, 175. 

accipitrinus, 175, 177. 

wilsonianus, 175. 
Astragalinus, 304, 319. 

lawrencei, 320, 323. 

psaltria, 320, 322. 
arizonse, 320, 322. 
mexicanus, 320, '322. 

tristis, 320, 321. 
pallidus, 320, 321. 
salicamans, 320, 321. 
Astur, 152. 
Asturina, 147, 161. 

plagiata, 161. 
Asyndesmus, 217. 
Atthis, 232, 237, 241. 

morcomi, 241. 
Attwater Prairie Hen, 131. 
Audubon Caracara, 171. 

Hermit Thrush, 471. 

Oriole, 294. 

Warbler, 413. 
Auklet, Cassin, 13. 

Least, 14. 

Paroquet, 14. 

Rhinoceros, 13. 



INDEX 



491 



Auripaxus, 452, 462. 

flaviceps, 462. 
Avocet, 86. 
Aythya, 45, 56. 

affinis, 56, 58. 

americana, 56. 

collaris, 56, 59. 

luarila, 56, 57, 59. 

vallisneria, 56, 57. 
Aztec Wren, 449. 
Azure Bluebird, 476. 

Baird Sandpiper, 92. 

Sparrow, 333. 

Wren, 447. 
Baldpate, 50. 
Baltimore Oriole, 297. 
Band-tailed Pigeon, 138. 
Bank Swallow, 386. 
Barn Owl, 173. 

Swallow, 384. 
Barred Owl, 178, 179. 
Barrow Golden-eye, 60. 
Bartramia, 87, 99. 

longicauda, 99. 
Bartramian Sandpiper, 99. 
Basilinna, 2.33, 243. 

leueotis, 243. 
Batehelder Woodpecker, 203. 
Beardless Flycatcher, 265. 
Becard, Xantus, 245. 
Belding Jay, 276. 

Marsh Sparrow, 332. 
Bell Sparrow, 351. 

Vireo, 399. 
Belted Kingfisher, 198. 

Piping Plover, 104. 
Bendire Sparrow, 353. 

Thrasher, 439. 
Bicolored Blackbird, 291. 
Bittern, American, 73. 

Least, 74. 
Black and White Warbler, 402. 

-bellied Plover, 102. 
Tree Duck, 69. 

-billed Cuckoo, 196. 
Magpie, 270. 

Brant, 68. 

-capped Vireo, 397. 

-chinned Hummingbird, 235. 
Sparrow, 345. 

-crested Titmouse, 455. 

-crowned Night Heron, 77. 

-footed Albatross, 32. 

-fronted Warbler, 415. 

-headed Grosbeak, 372. 



Jay, 273. 

Leucosticte, 317. 

Merlin, 169. 

Oyster-catcher, 107. 

Petrel, 38. 

Phoebe, 255. 

-poll Warbler, 416. 

Rail, 82. 

Swift, 229. 

-tailed Gnatcatcher, 466. 

-throated Blue Warbler, 412. 
Gray Warbler, 418. 
Green Warbler, 420. 
Loon, 10. 
Sparrow, 350. 

Turnstone, 107. 

-vented Shearwater, 35. 

Vulture, 146. 
Blackbird, Bicolored, 291. 

Brewer, 300. 

Red-winged, 290. 

Rusty, 290. 

Tricolored, 292. 

Yellow-headed, 288. 
Blackburnian Warbler, 417. 
Blue-bill, 57. 

-eared Jay, 274. 

-fronted Jay, 273. 

-gray Gnatcatcher, 465. 

-headed Vireo, 396. 

-throated Hummingbird, 234' 

-winged Teal, 52. 
Bluebird, 475. 

Azure, 476. 

Chestnut-backed, 476. 

Mountain, 476. 

Western, 476. 
Bobolink, 286. 
Bob-white, 115. 

Masked, 116. 
Texan, 116. 
Bohemian Waxwing, 388. 
Bonaparte Gull, 25, 26. 

Sandpiper, 92. 
Bonasa, 114, 127. 

umbellus sabini, 127, 128. 
togata, 127. 
umbelloides, 127, 128. 
Botaurus, 72, 73. 

lentiginosus, 73. 
Brachyramphus, 12, 15. 

hypoleucus, 15, 16. 

inarmoratus, 15. 
Brant, Black, 68. 
Branta, 45, 67. 

canadensis, 67. 



492 



INDEX 



hutehinsii, 67, 68. 
minima, 67, 68. 
occidentalis, 67, 68. 
nigricans, 67, 68. 
Brewer Blackbird, 300. 

Sparrow, 343. 
Brewsteria, 163. 
Bridled Titmouse, 457. 
Broad-billed Hummingbird, 244. 
-tailed Humming-bird, 238. 
-winged Hawk, 160. 
Bronzed Grackle, 301. 
Brown-capped Leucosticte, 317. 

Thrasher, 438. 
Bryant Cactus Wren, 443 

Marsh Sparrow, 332. 
Bubo, 175, 185. 

virginianus arcticus, 185, 186. 
pacificus, 185, 186. 
pallescens, 185. 
saturatus, 185, 186. 
BubonidjB, 109, 144, 175. 
Buff-bellied Hummingbird, 243. 
-breasted Flycatcher, 263. 
Sandpiper, 100. 
Buffle-head, 60. 
Bullock Oriole, 298. 
Bunting-, Indigo, 374. 
Lark, 377. 
Lazuli, 375. 
Painted, 376. 
Varied, 375. 
Burrica, 312. 
Burrowing Owl, 189. 
Bush-Tit, 460. 

California, 461. 
Lead-colored, 462. 
Lloyd, 462. 
Santa Rita, 462. 
Buteo, 147, 155. 

abbreviatus, 155, 157. 
albicaudatus sennetti, 155, 158. 
borealis, 155. 
calurus, 155, 156. 
kriderii, 155, 156. 
lineatus elegans, 155, 157. 
platypterus, 155, 160. 
swainsoni, 155, 159. 
Buteola, 160. 
Butorides, 76. 

Cabanis Woodpecker, 202. 
Cackling- Goose, 68. 
Cactus Wren, 442. 
Calamospiza, 306, 377. 

melanocorys, 377. 
Calaveras Warbler, 404. 



Calearius, 304, 325. 

lapponicus, 326. 

alascensis, 326, 327. 

ornatus, 326. 328. 

pictus, 326, 327. 
Calidris, 87, 94. 

arenaria, 94. 
California Brown Pelican, 43. 

Bush-Tit, 461. 

Chickadee, 459. 

Clapper Rail, 80. 

Crow, 281. 

Cuckoo, 195, 196. 

Gull, 23. 

Horned Lark, 268. 

Jay, 275. 

Murre, 16. 

Partridg-e, 120, 121. 

Pine Grosbeak, 308. 

Poor-will, 225. 

Purple Finch. 310, 312. 

Pyg-my Owl, 191. 

Screech Owl, 183, 184. 

Shrike, 393. 

Towhee, 367. 

Vulture, 144. 
Californian Creeper, 452. 

Thrasher, 440. 

Woodpecker, 217. 
Calliope Hummingbird, 241. 
Callipepla, 114, 118. 

squamata, 118. 

castanog-astris, 118, 119. 
Callothrus, 285, 288. 

robustus, 288. 
Calothorax, 232, 242. 

lucifer, 242. 
Calypte, 233, 236. 

anna, 237. 

costae, 236. 
Canachites, 114, 126. 

franklinii, 126. 
Canada Goose, 67. 
Canadian Ruffed Grouse, 127o 

Warbler, 428. 
Canvas-back, 50, 57. 
Canyon Towhee, 366. 

Wren, 445. 
Caprimulgidae, 110, 222. 
Caracara, Audubon, 171. 
Cardellina, 401,430. 

rubrifrons, 430. 
Cardinal, 369. 

Arizona, 370. 

Gray-tailed, 370. 
Cardinalis, 305, 369. 



INDEX 



493 



cardinalis, 369. 

canicaudus, 369, 370. 
superbus, 369, 370. 
Caribbean Clapper Rail, 80. 
Carolina Rail, 81. 

Wren, 446. 
Carpodacus, 304, 306, 309, 310. 

eassini, 310, 311. 

mexicanus dementis, 310, 313. 
frontalis, 310, 312. 

purpureus, 310. 
californieus, 310. 
Caspian Tern, 28. 
Cassin Auklet, 13. 

Kingbird, 249. 

Purple Finch, 310, 31 !» 

Vireo, 396. 
Catbird, 437. 
Catharista, 144, 146. 

urubu, 146. 
Cathartes, 144, 145. 

aura, 145. 
Cathartidge, 109, 144. 
Catherpes, 434. 

mexicanus albifrons, 444, 445. 
conspersus, 444, 445. 
punctulatus, 444, 445. 
Cedar Waxwing, 388. 
Centrocercus, 113, 133. 

urophasianus, 133. 
Centronyx, 333. 
Centnrus, 218. 
Ceophloeus, 200, 213. 

pileatus abieticola, 213. 
Cepphus, 12, 16. 

columba, 16. 
Cerorhinca, 12, 13. 

monocerata, 13. 
Certhia, 451. 

farailiaris albescens, 451. 
montana, 451. 
occidentalis, 451, 452. 
zelotes, 451, 452. 
Certhiidse, 113, 245, 451. 
Cerulean Warbler, 416. 
Ceryle, 198. ; 

alcyon, 198. 

americanaseptentrionalis, 198,199. 

torquata, 198, 199. 
Chachalaca, 137. 
Chsetura, 229, 230. 

pelagiea, 230. 

vauxii, 230, 231. 
Chamsea, 452, 459. 

fasciata, 459. 
intermedia, 459. 



phsea, 459, 460. 
ChamaBthlypis, 426. 
CharadriidaB, 4, 84, 102. 
Charadrius, 102, 103. 

dominicus, 103. 
Charitonetta, 45, 60. 

albeola, 60. 
Chat, Long-tailed, 426. 
Chaulelasmus, 44, 49. 

streperus, 49. 
Chen, 45, 65. 

hyperborea, 65. 
nivalis, 65, 66. 

rossii, 65, 66. 
Chestnut-backed Bluebird, 476. 
Chickadee, 459. 

-bellied Sealed Partridge, 119. 

-collared Longspur, 328. 

-sided Warbler, 416. 
Chewink, 364. 
Chickadee, 457. 

California, 459. 

Chestnut-backed, 459. 

Columbian, 459. 

Long-tailed, 457. 

Mexican, 458. 

Mountain, 458. 

Oregon, 458. 
Chimney Swift, 230. 
Chondestes, 304, 336. 

grammacus, 336. 
strigatus, 336. 
Chordeiles, 222, 226. 

acntipennis texensis, 226, 228. 

virginianus, 226. 

henryi, 226, 227, 229. 
sennetti, 226, 227, 228. 
Chrysolophus, 134, 135. 

pictus, 135. 
Chuek-will's-widow, 222. 
Ciconiidse, 4, 70, 72. 
Cinclidse, 112, 245, 432. 
Cinclus, 432. 

mexicanus, 432. 
Cinnamon Teal, 52. 
Circus, 147, 150. 

hudsonius, 150. 
Cistothorus, 434, 449, 450. 

palustris, 449, 450. 
paludieola, 450. 
plesius, 450, 451. 

stellaris, 450. 
Clangula, 45, 59. 

clangula araericana, 59. 

islandica, 59, 60. 
Clarke Nutcracker, 282. 



494 



INDEX 



Clay-colored Sparrow, 342. 
Cliff Swallow, 384. 
Coast Wren-Tit, 460. 
Coccothraustes, 303, 307. 

vespertinus montanus, 307. 
Coccyges, 2, 109, 193. 
Coccyzus, 193, 195. 

americanus, 195. 

occidentalis, 195, 196. 

erythrophthalmus, 195, 196. 
Cock-of-the-woods, 213. 
Cceligena, 233, 234. 

clemencise, 234. 
Colaptes, 200, 220. 

auratus lute us, 220. 

cafer coUaris, 220, 221, 222. 
saturatior, 220, 221. 

chrysoides, 220, 222. 
Colinus, 114. 

ridg-wayi, 114, 115, 116. 

virg-inianus, 114, 115. 
texanus, 114, 115, 116. 
Columba, 138. 

fasciata, 138. 

flavirostris, 138, 140. 
Columba?, 1, 108, 138. 
Columbian Chickadee, 469. 

Sharp-tailed Grouse, 132. 
Columbidse, 108, 138. 
Colunibigallina, 138, 143. 

passerina pallescens, 143. 
Colymbus, 5, 6. 

auritus, 6, 7. 

dominieus brachypterus, 6. 

holboellii, 6. 

nigricollis californieus, 6, 7, 
Common Tern, 29. 
Compsohalieus, 41. 
Compsothlypis, 401, 406. 

americana usneae, 406. 

nigrilora, 406, 407. 
Condor, 144. 

Connecticut Warbler, 424. 
Contopus. 245, 256, 257. 

borealis, 256, 257. 

pertinax pallidiventris, 256, 257. 

richardsonii, 257, 258. 
saturatus, 258. 

virens, 257, 258, 259. 
Cooper Hawk, 152. 

Tanag:er,381,382. 
Coot, American, 83. 
Copper Pheasant, 135. 
Coppery-tailed Trog-on, 197. 
Cormorant, Baird, 42. 

Brandt, 41. 



Double-crested, 40. . 

Farallone, 40. 

Mexican, 41. 

Pelagic, 41. 

White-crested, 40. 
Corvidse, 112, 245, 269. 
Corvus, 269, 279. 

americanus, 279, 281. 
hesperis, 281. 

caurinus, 279, 282. 

corax principalis, 279, 280c 
sinuatus, 279, 281. 

cryptoleucus, 279, 280. 
Costa Hummingbird, 236. 
Cotingidse, 110, 245. 
Coturnicops, 82. 
Coturniculus, 334. 
Couch Jay, 276. 

Kingbird, 248. 
Coues Flycatcher, 257, 
Cowbird,"287. 

Dwarf, 288. 

Red-eyed, 288. . 
Cracid^e, 108, 113, 137. 
Crane, Little Brown, 79. 

Sandhill, 79. 

Whooping, 78. 
Creciscus, 82. 
Creeper, California, 452. 

Mexican, 451. 

Rocky Mountain, 451. 

Sierra, 452. 
Crissal Thrasher, 442. 
Crossbill, 314. 

Mexican, 314. 

White-winged, 315. 
Crotophaga, 193. 

sulcirostris, 193. 
Crow, American, 281. 

California, 281. 

Northwest, 282. 
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 196. 

California, 196. 

Yellow-billed, 195. 
Cuculidse, 110, 193. 
Crymophilus, 84. 

fulicarius, 84. 
Curlew, Eskimo, 102. 

Hudsonian, 102. 

Long-billed, 101. 
Curve-billed Thrasher, 439 
Cyanocephalus, 269, 284. 

cyanocephalus, 284. 
Cyanocitta, 269, 271. 

cristata, 271. 

stelleri, 271, 272. 



INDEX 



495 



annectens, 271, 273. 
carbonacea, 273. 
diaderaata, 271, 272, 273. 
frontalis, 271, 272, 273, 275. 
Cyanospiza, 306, 374. 
amoena, 374, 375. 
ciris, 374, 376. 
cyanea, 374. 
versicolor, 374, 375. 
Cyclorrhynchus, 12, 14. 

psittaculus, 14. 
Cypseloides, 229. 

niger borealis, 229. 
Cyrtonyx, 114, 122. 

montezuraae mearnsi, 122. 
Cyrtopelicanus, 42. 

Dabchick, 8. 
Dafila, 44, 54. 

acuta, 54. 
Dark-bodied Shearwater, 36. 
Dendragapiis, 114, 124. 

obscurus, 124, 126. 
fuliginosus, 124, 125. 
richardsonii, 124, 126. 
Dendrocygna, 44, 69. 

autumnalis, 69. 

fulva, 69. 
Dendroica, 401, 407, 411. 

sestiva, 407, 409, 411, 412. 

. rubigiiiosa, 407, 409, 412. 
sonorana, 407, 409, 411. 

auduboni, 408, 409, 413. 

blackburniae, 407, 410, 417. 

cserulesceiis, 408, 410, 412. 

chrysoparia, 408, 409, 419. 

coronata, 409, 412, 414. 

gracise, 408, 409, 418. 

maculosa. 408, 409, 415. 

nigrescens, 408, 409, 418. 

nigrifrons, 408, 409, 415. 

occidentalis, 408, 409, 421. 

olivacea, 408, 410, 

palniarum, 408, 410, 422. 

pensylvanica, 409, 416. 

rara, 409, 410, 416. 

striata, 409, 416. 

townsendi, 408, 410,421. 

virens, 408, 410, 420. 
Derby Flycatcher, 250. 
Desert Cactus Wren, 442. 

Horned Lark, 268. 

Song Sparrow, 357. 

Sparrow, 350. 
Hawk, 171. 
Dichromanassa, 76. 



Dickcissel, 377. 
Diomedea, 32. 
albatrus, 32. 
nigripes, 32. 
Diomedeidae, 3, 32. 
Dipper, 432. 
Dolichonyx, 285, 286. 

oryzivorus, 286. 
Dotted Canyon Wren, 445. 
Dove, Inca, 143. 

Mexican Ground, 143. 
Mourning, 140. 
White-fronted, 141. 
-winged, 142. 
Dowitcher, Long-billed, 89. 
Downy Woodpecker, 204. 
Dryobates, 200, 201. 
arizonae, 201, 206. 
nuttallii, 201, 204, 205. 
pubescens, 203. 

gairdnerii, 201, 203, 204. 
homorus, 201, 203. 
medianus, 201, 203, 204. 
turati, 203. 
scalaris bairdi, 201, 204. 

lucasanus, 201, 205. 
villosus leucomelas, 201. 
harrisii, 201, 202, 203. 
hyloseopus, 201, 202. 
lucasanus, 201, 205. 
monticola, 201, 203. 
Duck, Black-bellied Tree, 69. 
Fulvous Tree, 69. 
Harlequin, 61. 
Hawk, 167. 
Lesser Scaup, 58. 
Masked, 65. 
Mottled, 49. 
Ring-necked, 59. 
Ruddy, 64. 
Scaup, 57. 
Wood, 55. 
Dusky Grouse, 124. 
Horned Lark, 269. 

Owl, 186. 
Warbler, 405. 
Dwarf Cowbird, 288. 
Hermit Thrush, 472. 
Screech Owl, 185. 
Dytes, 7. 

Eagle, Bald, 165. 

Golden, 163. 
Eared Grebe, 7. 
Ectopistes, 138. 

migratorius, 140. 



496 



INDEX 



Egret, 75. 
Elanoides, 147, 148. 

forficatus, 148. 
Elanus, 147, 148. 

leucurus, 148. 
Eleg-ant Tern, 29. 
Elf Owl, 191. 
Emperor Goose, 69, 
Empidonax, 246, 259. 

difficilis, 259, 260. 

f ulvif rons pygmseus, 259, 262, 263. 

g-riseus, 259, 263. 

hammondi, 259, 262. 

insulicola, 259, 260. 

minimus, 259, 261. 

traillii, 259, 260. 
alnorum, 259, 261. 

wrightii, 259, 262. 
English Sparrow, 324. 
Ereunetes, 88, 93. 

occidentalis, 93, 94. 

pusillus, 93. 
Erismatura, 44, 64. 

jamaiceusis, 64. 
Eskimo Curlew, 102. 
Eugenes, 233. 

fulgens, 233. 
European Teal, 51. 
Exanthemops, 66. 

Falco, 147, 165. 

columbarius, 166, 168. 
suekleyi, 166, 169. 

fusco-ccerulescens, 166, 170. 

mexicanus, 165, 166. 

peregrinus anatum, 166, 167. 
pealei, 166, 168. 

riehardsonii, 166, 169. 

rusticolus, 165, 166. 

sparverius, 166, 170. 
deserticola, 166, 171. 
Falcon, Aplomado, 170. 

Peale, 168. 

Prairie, 166. 
FaleonidjB, 109, 144, 146. 
Farallone Rail, 82. 
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, 191. 

Rough-leg, 163. 
Finch, California Purple, 310. 

Cassin, 311. 

House, 312. 

Island House, 313. 

Pine, 323. 

Purple, 310. 
Fish Hawk, 172. 
Flamroulated Screech Owl, 184, 185. 



Flicker, Gilded, 222. 

Northern, 220. 

Northwestern, 221. 

Red-shafted, 221. 
Floresi Hummingbird, 238. 
Florida, 76. 
Florida Gallinule, 82. 
Flycatcher, Alder, 261. 

Arizona Crested, 252. 

Ash-throated, 253. 

Beardless, 265. 

Buff-breasted, 263. 

Coues, 257. 

Crested, 252. 

Derby, 250. 

Fork-tailed, 246. 

Giraud, 250. 

Gray, 263. 

Hammond, 262. 

Least, 261. 

Mexican Crested, 252. 

Nutting, 253. 

Olivaceous, 253. 

Olive-sided, 257. 

Ridgway, 265. 

Santa Barbara, 260. 

Scissor-tailed, 246. 

Sulphur-bellied, 250. 

Traill, 260, 261. 

Vermilion, 264. 

Western, 260. 

Wright, 262, 263. 
Forbush Sparrow, 360. 
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, 246. 
Forked-tailed Petrel, 37. 
Forster Tern, 29. 
Fox Sparrow, 360. 
Franklin Grouse, 126. 

Gull, 25. 
Frazar Oyster-catcher, 107. 
Fregata, 43. 

aquila, 43. 
Fregatidse, 3, 39, 43. 
FringiUidffi, 111, 245, 303. 
Frosted Poor-will, 225. 
Fulica, 79, 83. 

americana, 83. 
Fuligula, 57. 
Fulmar, Giant, 34. 

Pacific, 34. 

Rodgers, 34. 

Slender-billed, 34. 
Fulmarus, 33, 34. 

glacialis glupischa, 34. 

rodgersi, 34. 
Fulvous Tree-duck, 69. 



INDEX 



497 



Gadwall, 49. 

Gairdner Woodpecker, 203. 

Galeoscoptes, 434, 437. 

carolinensis, 437. 
Gallinfe, 1, 108, 113. 
Gallinago, 87, 88. 

delieata, 88. 
Gallinula, 79, 82. 

galeata, 82. 
Gallinule, Florida, 82. 
Gambel Partridge, 121. 

Sparrow, 339. 
Garzetta, 75. 
Gavia, 9. 

arctica, 9, 10. 

imber, 9. 

lumme, 9, 11. 

pacifiea, 9, 10. 
Gaviidae, 2, 9. 
Gelochelidon, 19, 27. 

nilotica, 27. 
Genngeus, 134, 135. 

nycthemerus, 135. 
Geococcyx, 193. 

californianus, 193. 
Geothlypis, 401, 424, 426. 

agilis, 424. 

polioeephala ralphi, 424. 

tolmiei, 424. 

triehas arizela, 424, 426. 
occidentalis, 424, 425. 
scirpicola, 425. 
sinuosa, 425. 
Giant Fulmar, 34. 
Gila Woodpecker, 219. 
Gilded Flicker, 222. 
Giraud Flycatcher, 250. 
Glaucidium, 175, 190. 

calif ornicum, 190, 191. 

gnoma, 190. 

phalsenoides, 190, 191. 
Glaucous Gull, 21. 

-winged Gull, 21. 
Glossy Ibis, 71. 
Glottis, 96. 
Gnatcateher, Black-tailed, 466. 

Blue-gray, 465. 

Plumbeous, 466. 

Western, 466. 
Godwit, Hudsonian, 95. 

Marbled, 95. 
Golden-cheeked Warbler, 419. 

-crowned Kinglet, 463. 
Sparrow, 339. 

Eagle, 163. 

-eye, American, 59. 



Barrow, 60. 

-fronted Woodpecker, 218. 

Owl, 174. 

Pheasant, 135. 

Pileolated Warbler, 428. 

Plover, 103. 
Goldfinch, 320. 

Arizona, 322. 

Arkansas, 322. 

Lawrence, 323. 

Mexican, 322. 

Pale, 321. 

Willow, 321. 
Goose, Canada, 67, 68. 

Cackling, 68. 

Emperor, 69. 

Greater Snow, 66. 

Hutchins, 68. 

Lesser Snow, 65. 

Ross Snow, 66. 

White-cheeked, 68. 

White-fronted, 66. 
Goshawk, American, 152. 

Western, 153. 
Grace Warbler, 418. 
Grackle, Bronzed, 301. 

Great-tailed, 302. 
Gray-cheeked Thrush, 469. 

-crowned Leucosticte, 315. 

Flycatcher, 263. 

Gyrfalcon, 166. 

-headed Junco, 349. 

Jay, 279. 

Euffed Grouse, 128. 

-tailed Cardinal, 370. 

Titmouse, 456. 

Vireo, 400. 
Great Blue Heron, 75. 

Gray Owl, 179. 

Northern Diver, 9. 

Rufous-bellied Kingfisher, 199. 

-tailed Grackle, 302. 
Greater Snow Goose, 66. 

Yellow-legs, 96. 
Grebe, Eared, 7. 

Holboell, 6. 

Horned, 7. 

Least, 8. 

Pied-billed, 8. 

Western, 5. 
Green Heron, 76. 

Jay, 277. 

Pheasant, 135. 

-tailed Towhee, 368. 

-winged Teal, 51. 
Grinnell Water-Thrush, 423. 



498 



INDEX 



Groove-billed Ani, 193. 
Grosbeak, Alaskan Pine, 809. 

Black-headed. 372. 

California Pine. 308. 

Rocky Mountain Pine, 308. 

Rose-breasted. 372, 

Western Blue. 373. 
Evening-, 307. 
Grouse, Canadian Ruffed. 127. 

Columbian Sharp-tailed, 132. 

Duskv, 124. 

Franklin. 126. 

Gray Ruffed. 128. 

Oreg-on Ruffed. 128. 

Prairie Sharp-tailed, 132. 

Richardson, 126. 

Sag-e, 133. 

Sooty, 125. 
Gruidse, 4, 78. 
Grus, 78. 

americana, 78. 

canadensis. 78, 79. 

mexicana. 78, 79. 
Guara, 70, 71. 

alba. 71. 
Guillemot, Pigeon, 16. 
Guiraca, 305, 373. 

eaerulea lazula. 373. 
Gull. Bonaparte, 26. 

California. 23. 

Franklin, 25. 

Glaucous, 21. 

Glaucous-wing-ed, 21, 23. 

Heemiann, 24. 

Herring, 22. 

Laughing, 25. 

Mew, 24. 

Ring-.billed, 23. 

Sabine, 27. 

Short-biUed, 24. 

Veg-a, 23. 

Western, 21, 23. 25. 
Gull-billed Tern, 27. 
Gymnogyps, 144. 

californianus. 144. 
Gyrfalcon, Gray, 166. 

Haematopodidae. 4, 84, 107. 
Haematopus, 107. 

bachmani. 107. 

frazari, 107. 
Halifeetus, 147, 165. 

leucocephalus, 165. 
Hammond Flycatcher, 262. 
Harelda, 45, 61. 

hyemalis, 61, 
Harlequin Duck, 61. 



' Harporhynchus, 440. 
i Harris Hawk, 154. 

Sparrow. 337. 

Woodpecker, 202. 
Hawk. Broad-wing-ed, 160. 

Cooper, 152. 

Desert Sparrow, 171. 

Duck, 167. 

Fish, 172. 

Harris, 154. 

Krider, 156. 

Marsh, 150. 

Mexican Black, 160.- 

Pigeon. 168. 

Red-bellied, 157. 
-tailed, 155. 

Rough-legged, 162. 

Sennett White-tailed, 158= 

Sharp-shinned, 151. 

Sparrow. 170. 

Squirrel, 163. 

Swainson, 159. 

Zone-tailed, 157. 
Heermann Gull, 24. 

Song- Sparrow, 357. 
Heleodytes, 434, 442. 

brunneicapillus, 442. 
anthonyi, 442. 
bryanti, 443. 
couesi, 442. 
Helminthophila, 401, 402. 

celata, 402, 404. 
lutescens, 402, 405. 
sordida, 402, 405. 

lucife, 404. 

peregrina, 402, 406. 

rubricapilla gutturalis, 402, 404. 

virginiag, 402, 403. 
Helodromas, 88, 97. 

solitarius, 97. 

cinnamomeus, 97, 98. 
Hepatic Tanager, 381. 
Hepburn Leucosticte, 316. 
Hermit Warbler, 421. 
Herodias, 75. 
Herodiones, 1, 70. 
Heron, Anthony Green, 77. 

Black-crowned Night, 77. 

Great Blue, 75. 

Green, 76. 

Little Blue, 76. 

Northwest Coast, 75. 

Snowy, 75. 

Yellow-crowned Night, 78. 
Herring Gull, 22. 
Hesperiphona, 307. 
Heteractitis, 88, 98. 



INDEX 



499 



incanus, 98. 
Hierofaico, 166. 
Himantopus, 86. 

mexicanus, 86. 
Hirundinidse, 111, 245, 382. 
Hiruiido, 882, 384. 

erytkrogastra, 384. 
palmeri, 384. 
Histrionicus, 45, 61. 

histrionicus, 61. 
Hoary Red-poll, 318. 
Holboell Grebe, 6. 
Hooded Merganser, 47. 
Horned Grebe, 7. 
House Finch, 310, 312. 
Hoyt Homed Lark, 269. 
Hudsonian Curlew, 102. 

Godwit, 95. 
Hummingbird, Allen, 241, 

Anna, 237. 

Black-chinned, 235. 

Blue-throated, 234. 

Broad-billed, 244. 
-tailed, 238. 

Buff-bellied, 243. 

Calliope, 241. 

Costa, 236. 

Floresi, 238. 

Lucifer, 242. 

Morcom, 241. 

Rieffer, 243. 

Rivoli, 233. 

Ruby-throated, 235. 

Rufous, 239. 

White-eared, 243. 
Hutehins Goose, 68. 
Hutton Vireo, 399. 
Hydroehelidon, 19, 31, 

nigra surinamensis, 31. 
Hylocichla, 467, 468. 

alici*, 468, 469. 

guttata, 468, 471. 
auduboni, 469, 471. 
nana, 468, 472. 
slevini, 471. 

fuscescens salieicola, 468, 

mustelina, 468, 469. 

ustulata, 468, 470. 
almse, 469, 471. 
cBdica, 468, 470. 
swainsoni, 469, 470. 

laehe, 232, 244. 

latirostris, 244. 
Ibidid^e, 4, 70. 
Ibis, Glossy, 71. 

White, 71. 



-faced Glossy, 71. 

Wood, 72. 
Icteria, 401, 426. 

virens longicauda, 426. 
Icteridse, 112, 245, 285. 
Icterus, 285, 293, 294. 

audubonii, 294. 

bullocki, 294, 298. 

cucullatus nelsoni, 293, 296, 298. 
sennetti, 293, 295. 

galbula, 294, 297. 
• parisorum, 294. 

spurius, 294, 296. 
Ictinia, 147, 149. 

mississippiensis, 149. 
Inca Dove, 143. 
Indigo Bunting, 374. 
Intermediate Junco, 347. 

Sparrow, 339. 
Island Horned Lark, 268. 

House Finch, 313. 

Shrike, 393. 
Ixoreus, 467, 473. 

naevius, 473. 

meruloides, 473, 474. 

Jabiru, 72. 
Jacana, 108. 

Mexican, 108. 

spinosa, 108. 
Jacanidse, 108. 
Jack Snipe, 88. 
Jackdaw. 302. 
Jaeger, Long-tailed, 18. 

Parasitic, 18. 

Pomarine, 18. 
Jay, Arizona, 276. 

Belding, 276. 

Black-headed, 273. 

Blue, 271. 
-eared, 274. 
-fronted. 273. 

California, 275. 

Couch, 276. 

Gray, 279. 

Green, 277. 

Long-crested, 273. 

Oregon, 278. 

Pinon, 284. 

Rocky Mountain, 277. 

Santa Cruz, 276. 

Steller, 272. 

Texan, 275. 

Woodhouse, 274. 
Junco, 305, 345. 

aikeni, 345. 

annectens, 345, 348. 



500 



INDEX 



Arizona, 349. 
caniceps, 345, 349. 
Gray-headed, 349. 
hyemalis, 345, 346. 

connectens, 345, 347. 

oreganus, 345, 347. 

pinosus, 345, 348. 

thurberi, 345, 347. 
Intermediate, 347. 
mearnsi, 345, 348. 
Montana, 348. 
montanus, 345, 348. 
Mountain, 348. 
Oreg'on, 347. 
phseonotus dorsalis, 345, 349. 

palliatus, 345, 349. 
Pink-sided, 348. 
Point Pinos, 348. 
Red-backed, 349. 
Ridgway, 348. 
Slate-colored, 346. 
Thurber, 347. 
White-winged, 345. 

Kaeding Petrel, 37. 
Kennieott Screech Owl, 183, 184. 
Killdeer, 103. 
Kingbird, 247. 

Arkansas, 248. 

Cassin, 249. 

Couch, 248. 
Kingfisher, Belted, 198. 

Great Rufous-bellied, 199. 

Texas, 199. 
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 463. 
Western, 464. 

Ruby-crowned, 464. 

Sitkan, 465. 
Kite, Mississippi, 149. 

Swallow-tailed, 148. 

White-tailed, 148. 
Kittiwake, Pacific, 19. 
Knot, 91. 
Krider Hawk, 156. 

Lagopus, 114, 128. 
leucurus, 129. 
altipetens, 129. 
Laniidge, 112, 245, 391. 
Lanius, 391. 

borealis, 391, 392. 
ludovicianus anthonyi, 391, 393. 
excubitorides, 391, 392. 
gambeli, 391, 393. 
Lanivireo, 396. 
Lapland Longspur, 326. 



Large-billed Sparrow, 333. 

Laridffi, 2, 17, 19. 

Lark, Alaska Horned, 266. 

Bunting, 377. 

California Horned, 268. 

Desert Horned, 267. 

Dusky Horned, 268. 

Hoyt Horned, 269. 

Island Horned, 269. 

Montezuma Horned, 269. 

Pallid Horned, 268. 

Prairie Horned, 267. 

Ruddy Horned, 268. 

Scorched Horned, 268. 

Sparrow, 336. 

Streaked Horned, 268. 

Texan Horned, 268. 
Larus, 19, 20. 

argentatus, 20, 22. 

atricilla, 20, 25. 

brachyrhynchus, 20, 24. 

calif ornicus, 20, 23. 

canus, 20, 24. 

delawarensis, 20, 23. 

franklinii, 20, 25, 

glaucescens, 20, 21. 

glaucus, 20, 21. 

heermanni, 20, 24. 

occidentalis, 20, 21. 

Philadelphia, 20, 26. 

vegse, 20, 23. 
Laughing Gull, 25. 
Lawrence Goldfinch, 323. 
Lazuli Bunting, 376. 
Lead-colored Bush-Tit, 462. 
Least Auklet, 14. 

Bittern, 74. 

Flycatcher, 261. 

Grebe, 8. 

Sandpiper, 92. 

Tern, 30. 

Vireo, 400. 
Leconte Sparrow, 335. 

Thrasher, 441. 
Leptopelicanus, 43. 
Leptotila, 138, 141. 

fulviventris brachyptera, 141. 
Lesser Prairie Hen, 131. 

Scaup Duck, 58, 59. 

Snow Goose, 65. 

Yellow-legs, 97. 
Leucosticte, 304, 315. 

atrata, 315, 317. 

australis. 315, 317. 

Black, 3i7. 

Brown-capped, 317. 



INDEX 



501 



Gray-crowned, 315. 
Hepburn, 316. 
tephrocotis, 315, 317. 
littoralis, 315, 316. 
Lewis Woodpecker, 217. 
Limieolae, 4, 84. 
Limosa, 87, 95. 
fedoa, 95. 
hsemastica, 95. 
Lincoln Sparrow, 359. 
Little Blue Heron, 76. 

Brown Crane, 79. 
Lloyd Bush-Tit, 462. 
Long-billed Curlew, 101. 
Dowitcher, 89. 
-crested Jay, 273. 
-eared Owl, 175. 
-tailed Chat, 426. 
Chickadee, 457. 
Jaeger, 18. 
Longipennes, 1, 2, 17. 
Longspur, Alaskan, 327. 
Chestnut-collared, 328. 
Lapland, 326. 
McCown, 328. 
Smith, 327. 
Loon, 9. 

Black-throated, 10. 
Pacific, 10. 
Red- throated, 11. 
Lophodytes, 44, 47. 

cucullatus, 47. 
Lophophanes, 455. 
Lophortyx, 114, 119, 120. 
calif ornicus, 120. 
vallicola, 120. 
garabelii, 120, 121. 
Louisiana Tanager, 379. 
Loxia, 303, 313. 

curvirostra bendirei, 314. 
minor, 313, 314. 
stricklandi, 313, 314. 
leueoptera, 313, 315. 
Lucifer Hummingbird, 242. 
Lucy Warbler, 402. 
Lunda, 11, 12. 
cirrhata, 12. 
Lutescent Warbler, 405. 

MacFarlane Screech Owl, 184. 
Macgillivray Warbler, 424. 
Macrochires, 2, 110, 222. 
Macrorhamphus, 87, 89. 

griseus, 89, 90. 

scolopaceus, 89. 
Magnolia Warbler, 415. 



Magpie, Black-billed, 270. 

Yellow-billed, 271. 
Mallard, 48, 49, 51. 
Man-o'-War Bird, 43. 
Marbled Godwit, 95. 

Murrelet, 15. 
Mareca, 44, 49. 

americana, 49, 50. . 
penelope, 49. 
Marsh Hawk, 150. 
Martin, Purple, 383. 

Western, 383. 
Masked Bob- white, 113. 

Duck, 65. 
Massena Quail, 123. 
McCown Longspur, 328. 
Meadowlark, Texas, 292. 

Western, 293. 
Mearns Quail, 122. 
Megaquiscalus, 302. 
Megascops, 175. 
asio, 182. 

aikeni, 182, 184. 
bendirei, 182, 183. 
• cineraceus, 182, 183. 
kennicottii, 181, 183. 
macfarlanei, 181, 184. 
maxwellise, 181, 183. 
mccalli, 181, 183. 
flammeola, 182, 184. 

idahoensis, 182, 185. 
trichopsis, 181, 184. 
Melauerpes, 200, 215. 
aurifrons, 215, 218. 
carolinus, 215, 218. 
erythrocephalus, 215. 
formicivorus, 215, 216. 

bairdi, 215, 217. 
torquatus, 215, 217. 
uropygialis, 215, 219. 
Melanitta, 63. 
Meleagris, 134, 136. 
gallopavo fera, 136. 
intermedia, 136. 
merriami, 136. 
Melopelia, 138, 142. 

leueoptera, 142. 
Melospiza, 306, 355. 
cinerea phsea, 358. 
fasciata cooperi, 357. 
ingersolli, 358. 
pusillula, 358. 
georgiana, 355, 360 
lincolnii, 355, 359. 
striata, 355, 360. 
inelodia, 356. 



502 



INDEX 



clementae, 356, 359o 
cleonensis, 358. 
fallax, 355, 357. 
graminea, 356, 358. 
heermanui, 355, 357, 358. 
merrilli, 359. 
montana, 356, 357, 359. 
morphna, 355, 358. 
rufina, 355, 358. 
samuelis, 355, 358. 
santsecrueis, 357. 
Mendocino Song Sparrow, 358. 
Merganser, 44, 45. 
American, 46. 
americanus, 45, 46. 
Hooded, 47. 
Red-breasted, 46. 
serrator, 45, 46. 
Merlin, Black, 169. 
Richardson, 169. 
Merriam Turkey, 136. 
Merrill Parauque, 225. 

Song Sparrow, 359. 
Merula, 467, 472. 
migratoria, 472. 
propinqua, 472. 
Mew Gull, 24. 
Mexican Black Hawk, 160. 
Buzzard, 172. 
Chickadee, 457. 
Cliff Swallow, 384. 
Creeper, 451. 
Crested Flycatcher, 252. 
Cross-bill, 314. 
Goldfinch, 322. 
Goshawk, 161. 
Ground Dove, 143. 
Jacana, 108. 
Screech Owl, 183. 
Micropalama, 87, 90. 

himantopus, 90. 
Micropallas, 175, 191. 

whitneyi, 191. 
Micropodidse, 110, 229. 
Miraus, 434, 435. 

polyglottos leucopterus, 435. 
Mississippi Kite, 149. 
Mniotilta, 401, 402. 

varia, 402. 
Mniotiltidse, 111,245,401. 
Mockingbird, Western, 435. 
Molothrus, 285, 287. 
ater, 287. 

obscurus, 288. 
Montana JnTicn. 348. 
Monterey Hermit Thrush, 471. 



Thrush, 470. 
Montezuma Horned Lark, 269. 
Morcom Hummingbird, 241 o 
Motacillidse, 111, 245, 431. 
Mottled Duck, 49. 
Mountain Bluebird, 476. 

Chickadee, 458. 

Junco, 348. 

Partridge, 117. 

Plover, 105. 

Song Sparrow, 357. 
Mourning Dove, 140. 
Mud Hen, 83. 
Murre, California, 16, 22. 
Murrelet, Ancient, 15. 

Marbled, 16. 

Xantus, 16. 
Muscivora, 245, 246. 

forficata, 246. 

tyrannus, 246. 
Myadestes, 467. 

townsendii, 467<. 
Myeteria, 72. 

americana, 72. 
Myiarchus, 246. 

cinerascens, 252, 253. 
nuttingi, 252, 253. 

crinitus, 252. 

lawrencei olivascens, 251, 253. 

mexicanus, 251, 252. 
magister, 252. 
Myiodynastes, 245, 250. 

luteiventris, 250. 
Myiozetetes similis superciliosus,250l 

Nelson Sparrow, 335. 
Neocorys, 432. 
Nettion, 45, 51. 

carolinensis, 51. 

crecca, 51. 
Nighthawk, 226. 

Sennett, 228. 

Texan, 228. 

Western, 227. 
Nomonyx, 44, 65. 

dominicus, 65. 
Nonpareil, 326. 
Northern Flicker, 220. 

Hairy Woodpecker, 201, 203. 

Parula Warbler, 406. 

Phalarope, 84. 

Pileated Woodpecker, 213. 

Raven, 280. 

Red-breasted Sapsucker, 212. 

Shrike, 392. 

Spotted Owl, 179. 



INDEX 



503 



Violet-green Swallow, 386. 
Northwest Bewick Wren, 447. 

Coast Heron, 75. 

Crow, 282. 

Saw-whet Owl, 181. 
Northwestern Flicker, 221. 

Red-wing-, 291. 
Nueif raga, 269 , 282. 

Columbiana, 282. 
Numenius, 87, 101. 

borealis, 101, 102. 

hudsonicus, 101, 102. 

longirostris, 101. 
Nutcracker, Clarke, 282. 
Nuthatch, Pyg-my, 454. 

Red-breasted, 454. 

Rocky Mountain, 453. 

Slender-billed, 453. 

White-breasted, 453. 
Nuttall Sparrow, 339. 

Woodpecker, 205. 
Nuttallornis, 257. 
Nutting- Flycatcher, 253. 
Nyctala, 175, 179. 

aeadica, 180. 
scotaea, 180, 181. 

tengmalmi richardsoni, 179, 180. 
Nyctanassa, 78. 
Nyctea, 175, 187. 

nyctea, 187. 
Nycticorax, 73, 77. 

nycticorax naevius, 77. 

violaeeus, 78. 
Nyctidromus, 222, 225. 

albicollis merrilli, 225. 

Oceanodroma, 33, 37. 

furcata, 37. 

homochroa, 37, 38. 

kaedingi, 37. 

leucorhoa, 37. 

melania, 37, 38. 

socorroensis, 37, 38. 
Ochthodromus, 105. 
Oidemia, 45, 62, 63. 

americana, 62, 63. 

deglandi, 62, 63. 

perspicillata, 62, 63. 
Olbiorchilus, 434, 449. 

hiemalis pacificus, 449. 
Old-squaw, 61. 
Olivaceous Flycatcher, 253. 
Olive-backed Thrush, 470. 

-sided Flycatcher, 257. 

Warbler. 410. 
Olor, 45, 70. 



buccinator, 70. 
colunibianus, 70. 
Oporornis, 424. 

Orange-crowned Warbler, 404. 
Orchard Oriole, 296. 
Oregon Chickadee, 458. 
Jay, 278. 
Junco, 347. 
Ruffed Grouse, 128. 
Song Sparrow, 358. 
Towhee, 365. 
Vesper Sparrow, 330. 
Oreortyx, 114, 117. 
pictus, 117. 

plumiferus, 117. 
Oreospiza, 306, 368. 

chlorura, 368. 
Oriole, Arizona Hooded, 296. 
Audubon, 294. 
Baltimore, 297. 
Bullock, 298. 
Orchard, 296. 
Scott, 294. 
Sennett, 295. 
Ornithion, 245, 265. 
imberbe, 265. 
ridgwayi, 265. 
Oroscoptes, 433, 435. 

montanus, 435. 
Ortalis, 137. 

vetula maccalli, 137. 
Ossifraga, 33, 34. 

gigantea, 34. 
Otocoris, 265, 266. 

alpestris actia, 266, 268. 
adusta, 266, 268. 
aphrasta, 268. 
arcticola, 267. 
giraudi, 266, 268. 
hoyti, 266, 269. 
insularis, 266, 269. 
leucoleema, 266, 267. 
merrilli, 266, 268. 
oceidentalis, 266, 269. 
pallida, 266, 268. 
praticola, 266, 267. 
rubea, 266, 268. 
strigata, 266. 268. 
Ouzel, Water, 432. 
Oven-bird, 423. 
Owl, Aiken Screech, 184. 
American Hawk, 188. 
Arctic Horned, 186. 
Barn, 173. 
Barred, 178. 



504 



INDEX 



Burrowing-, 189. 

California Pygmy, 191. 
Screech, 183, 

Dusky Horned, 186. 

Dwarf Screech, 185. 

Elf, 191. 

Ferruginous Pygmy, 191. 

Flammulated Screech, 188. 

Great Gray, 179. 

Kennicott Screech, 183. 

Long-eared, 175. 

MacFarlane Screech, 184. 

Mexican Screech, 183. 

Northern Spotted, 179. 

Northwest Saw-whet, 181. 

Pacific Horned, 186. 

Pygmy, 190. 

Richardson, 180. 

Kocky Mountain Screech, 183. 

Saw-whet, 180. 

Screech, 182. 

Short-eared, 177. 

Snowy, 187. 

Spotted, 178. 
Screech, 184. 

Texas Barred, 178. 
Screech, 183. 

Western Horned, 185. 
Oxyechus, 103. 
Oyster-catcher, Black, 107. 
Frazar, 107. 

Pacific Fulmar, 34. 

Horned Owl, 186. 

House Wren, 448. 

Kittiwake, 19. 

Yellow-throat, 426. 
Painted Bunting, 376. 

Redstart, 430. 
Pale Goldfinch, 321. 

Varied Thrush, 474. 
Pallid Horned Lark, 266. 

Wren-Tit, 459. 
Palm Warbler, 422. 
Palmer Thrasher, 439. 
Paludicolse, 1, 4, 78. 
Pandion, 146, 172. 

haliaetus carolinensis, 172. 
Parabuteo, 147, 154. 

unicinctus harrisi, 154. 
Parasitic Jaeger, 18. 
Parauque, Merrill, 225. 
Paridse, 112, 113, 245, 452. 
Parkman Wren, 448. 
Paroquet Auklet, 14. 
Parrot, Thick-bUled, 192. 



Partridge, California, 120. 
Chestnut-bellied Scaled, 119. 
Gambel, 121. 
Mountain, 117. 
Plumed, 117. 
Scaled, 118. 
Valley, 120. 
Parus, 452, 455, 457. 
atricapillus, 455, 457. 
occidentals, 455, 458. 
septentrionalis, 455, 457. 
atricristatus, 455. 
gambeli, 455, 458. 
hudsonicus columbianus, 455, 459 
inornatus, 455, 456. 
griseus, 455, 456. 
rufescens, 455, 459. 

neglectus, 455, 459. 
sclateri, 455, 458, 
wollweberi, 455, 457. 
Pasadena Thrasher, 441. 
Passenger Pigeon, 140. 
Passer, 3U5, 324. 

domesticus, 324. 
Passerculus, 331, 333. 
Passerella, 306, 360. 
iliaca, 360. 

annectens, 361. 
fuliginosa, 361. 
insularis, 361. 
megarhyncha, 360, 362. 
meruloides, 361. 
schistacea, 360, 362. 
stephensi, 360, 363. 
townseiidi, 361. 
unalaschcensis, 360, 361. 
Passeres, 2, 110, 245. 
Passerina, 304, 325. 

nivalis, 325. 
Peale Falcon, 168. 
Pectoral Sandpiper, 91. 
Pedioecetes, 114, 131. 

phasianellus campestris, 132. 
columbianus, 132. 
Pelecanidse, 3, 39, 42. 
Pelecanus, 42. 

californicus, 42, 43. 
erythrorhynchos, 42. 
occidentalis, 43. 
Pelican, American White, 42. 

California Brown, 43. 
Pelidna, 93. 
Pelionetta, 63. 
Pendulinus, 295. 
Perisoreus, 269, 277. 
canadensis capitalis, 277. 



INDEX 



505 



obscurus, 278. 

griseus, 279. 

Petrel, Ashy, 38. 

Black, 38. 

Forked-tailed, 37. 

Kaeding, 37. 

Socorro, 38. 
Petrochelidon, 382, 383. 

lunifrons, 383, 384. 

melanog-astra, 383, 384. 
Peucasa, 352. 

botterii, 352. 

cassini, 352. 
Peucedramus, 410. 
Pewee, Wood, 258. 
Phainopepla, 387, 390. 

nitens, 390. 
Phalacrocoracidse, 3, 39. 
Phalacrocorax, 39, 40. 

dilophus, 39, 40. 
albociliatus, 39, 40. 
cincinatus, 39, 40. 

mexicanus, 39, 41. 

pelag-icus, 40, 41. 
resplendens, 40, 42. 

penicillatus, 39, 41. 
Phalsenoptilus, 222, 224. 

nuttallii, 224. 

californieus, 224, 225. 
nitidus, 224, 225. 
Phalarope, Northern, 84. 

Red, 84. 

Wilson, 85. 
Phalaropodidte, 4, 84. 
Phalaropus, 84. 

lobatus, 84, 
Phasianidse, 108, 113, 134. 
Phasianus, 134, 135. 

scemraerringii, 135. 

torquatus, 135. 

versicolor, 135. 
Pheasant, Copper, 136. 

Golden, 135. 

Green, 135. 

King-necked, 135. 

Silver, 135. 
Philacte, 45, 69. 

canagica, 69. 
Philohela, 87, 88. 

minor, 88. 
Phoebe, 254. 

Black, 255. 

Say, 255. 

Western Black, 256. 
Phcebetria, 32, 33. 

fuligiuosa, 33. 



Pica, 269. 

pica hudsonica, 269, 270. 
nuttalli, 269, 271. 
Pici, 2, 110, 200. 
Picicorvus, 282. 
Picidse, 110, 200. 
Pieoides, 200, 208. 
americanus, 208, 209. 
dorsalis, 208, 209. 
fasciatus, 208, 209. 
arcticus, 208. 
tenuirostris, 208. 
Pied-billed Grebe, 8. 
Pigeon, Band-tailed, 138. 
Guillemot, 16. 
Hawk, 168. 
Passenger, 140. 
Red-billed, 140. 
Pileolated Warbler, 428. 
Pine Finch, 323. 

Siskin, 323. 
Pinicola, 305, 308. 

enucleator alascensis, 308, 309. 
californica, 308. 
montana, 308. 
Pink-footed Shearwater, 35. 

-sided Junco, 348. 
Pinon Jay, 284. 
Pintail, 54. 
Pipilo, 306, 363. 
aberti, 363, 368. 
erythrophthalmus, 364. 
fuscus crissalis, 363, 367. 
mesoleucus, 363, 366. 
senicula, 363, 367. 
maculatus arcticus, 364. 
atratus, 364, 366. 
clementas, 364, 366. 
megalonyx, 364, 365. 
oregonus, 364, 365. 
Pipit, 431. 

Sprague, 432. 
Piranga, 379. 

erythromelas, 379, 380. 
hepatica, 379, 381. 
ludoviciana, 379. 
rubra, 379, 382. 
cooperi, 379, 382. 
Pitangus, 245, 250. 

derbianus, 250. 
Plain Titmouse, 456. 
Platypsaris, 245. 

albiventris, 245. 
Plegadis, 70, 71. 
autumnalis, 71. 
guarauua, 71. 



506 



INDEX 



Plover, Belted Piping-, 104. 

Black-bellied, 102. 

Golden, 103. 

Mountain,- 105. 

Semipalmated, 104. 

Snowy, 105. 

Upland, 99. 

Wilson, 105. 
Plumbeous Gnatcatclier, 466. 

Vireo, 397. 
Plunaed Partridge, 117. 
Podasocys, 105. 
Podiceps, 8. 
Podicipidse, 2, 5. 
Podilymbus, 5, 8. 

podiceps, 8. 
Point Pinos Junco, 348. 
Polioptila, 463, 465. 

caerulea, 465. 

obscura, 465, 466. 

ealifornica, 465, 466. 

plumbea, 465, 466. 
Polyborus, 147, 171. 

cheriway, 171. 
Pomarine Jaeger, 18. 
Pocjecetes, 304, 329. 

gramineus affinis, 329, 330. 
confinis, 329. 
Poor-will, 224. 

California, 225. 
Frosted, 225. 
Porzana, 79, 81. 

Carolina, 81. 

coturniculus, 81, 82. 

jaraaicensis, 81, 82. 

noveboracensis, 81, 82. 
Prairie Falcon, 166. 

Hen, 130. 

Horned Lark, 268. 

Sharp-tailed Grouse, 132. 
Priocella, 33, 34. 

glacial oides, 34. 
Procellariidse, 3, 32, 33. 
Progne, 382, 383. 

subis, 383. 
hesperia, 383. 
Psaltriparus, 452, 460. 

Uoydi, 460, 462. 

minimus, 460, 

californicus, 460, 461. 

plumbeus, 460, 462. 

santaritse, 460, 462. 
Psittaci, 1, 109, 192. 
Psittaeidse, 109, 192. 
Ptarmigan, Southern White-tailed, 
129. 



White-tailed, 129. 
Ptychoramphus, 12, 13. 

aleuticus, 13. 
Puffin, Tufted, 12. 
Puffinus, 35. 

buUeri, 35, 36. 

creatopus, 35. 

griseus, 35, 36. 

opistliomelas, 35. 

tenuirostris, 35, 37. 
Purple Finch, 310. 

Martin, 383. 
Pygmy Nuthatch, 454= 

Owl, 190. 
Pygopodes, 1, 2, 5. 
Pyrocephalus, 245, 264. 

rubineus mexicanus, 264. 
Pyrrhuloxia, 305, 370, 

Arizona, 370. 

sinuata, 370. 

texana, 370. 

Texas, 371. 

Quail, Mearns, 122. 
Querquedula, 45, 52. 

cyanoptera, 52. 

discors, 52, 53. 
Quisealus, 285, 301. 

major macrourus, 301, 302. 

quiscula seneus, 301. 

Rail, Black, 82. 

California Clapper, 80. 

Caribbsean Clapper, 80. 

Carolina, 81. 

Farallone, 82. 

Virginia, 80. 

Yellow, 82. 
Rallidee, 4, 79. 
Rallus, 79. 

levipes, 80. 

longirostris caribseus, 80. 

obsoletus, 80. 

virginianus, 80. 
Raptores, 1, 109, 144. 
Raven, American, 279. 

Northern, 280. 

White-necked, 280. 
Recurvirostra, 86. 

americana, 86. 
Recurvirostridse, 4, 84, 86. 
Red-backed Junco, 349. 
Sandpiper, 93. 

-bellied Hawk, 157. 
Woodpecker, 218. 

-billed Pigeon, 140. 



INDEX 



507 



-breasted Merganser, 46. 
Nuthatch, 454. 
Sapsiicker, 211. 

-eyed Cowbird, 288. 
Vireo, 395. 

-faced Warbler, 430. 

-headed Woodpecker, 215. 

-naped Sapsucker, 211. 

Phalarope, 84. 

-shafted Flicker, 221. 

-tail. Western, 156. 

-tailed Hawk, 15^. 

-throated Loon, 11. 

-winged Blackbird, 290. 
lledwing-. Northwestern, 291. 

San Diego, 291. 

Sonoran, 290. 

Thick-billed, 291. 

Vera Cruz, 290. 
Reddish Egret, 76. 
Redhead, 56. 
RedpoU, 319. 

Hoary, 318. 
Redstart, American, 429. 

Painted, 430. 
Regulus, 463. 

calendula, 463, 464. 
grinnelli, 463, 465. 

satrapa, 463. 

olivaceus, 463, 464. 
Rhinoceros Auklet, 13. 
Rhynchodon, 167. 
Rhynchofalco, 170. 
Rhynchophanes, 304, 326, 328. 

mccownii, 328. 
Rhynchopsitta, 192. 

pachyrhyncha, 192. 
Richardson Grouse, 126. 

Merlin, 169. 

Owl, 180. 
Ridgway Flycatcher, 265. 

Junco, 348. 
Rieffer Hummingbird, 243. 
Ring-billed Gull, 23. 

-necked Duck, 59. 
Pheasant, 135. 
Rio Grande Turkey, 136. 

Yellow-throat, 426. 
Riparia, 382, 386. 

riparia, 386. 
Rissa, 19. 

tridactyla pollicaris, 19. 
Rivoli Hummingbird, 233. 
Road-runner, 193. 
Robin. 472. 

Western, 472. 



Rock Sparrow, 355. 

Wren, 443. 
Rocky Mountain Creeper, 451. 

Hairy Woodpecker, 203= 
Nuthatch, 453. 
Pine Grosbeak. 308. 
Screech Owl, 183. 
Rodgers Fulmar, 34. 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 372. 
Ross Snow Goose, 66. 
Rough-legged Hawk, 162. 

-winged Swallow, 387. 
Royal Tern, 28. 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 464. 

-throated Hummingbird, 235. 
Ruddy Duck, 64. 

Horned Lark, 268. 

Turnstone, 107. 
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 354. 

Hummingbird, 239. 

-winged Sparrow, 353. 
Russet-backed Thrush, 470. 
Rusty Blackbird, 299. 

Song Sparrow, 358. 

Sabine Gull, 27. 
Sage Grouse, 133. 

Sparrow, 351. 

Thrasher, 435. 
Saint Lucas Woodpecker, 205. 
Salpinctes, 434, 443. 

obsoletus, 443. 
pulverius, 443. 
Salt Marsh Song Sparrow, 358. 

Yellow-throat, 425. 
Samuels Song Sparrow, 358. 
San Clemente Song Sparrow, 359. 
Towhee. 366. 
Wren, 448. 
San Diego Red-wing, 291. 
Song Sparrow, 357. 
Towhee, 366. 

Fernando Towhee, 367. 
Sanderling, 94. 
Sandhill Crane, 79. 
Sandpiper, Baird, 92. 

Bartramian, 99. 

Bonaparte, 92. 

BufP-breasted, 100. 

Least, 92. 

Pectoral, 91. 

Red-backed, 93. 

Semipalmated, 93. 

Solitary, 97. 

Spotted, 100. 

Stilt, 90. 



508 



INDEX 



Upland, 99. 

Western, 94. 
Solitary, 98. 

White-rumped, 92. 
Sandwich Sparrow, 331. 
Santa Barbara Flycatcher, 260. 
Song Sparrow, 358. 

Cruz Jay, 276. 

Song Sparrow, 357. 

Rita Bush-Tit, 462. 
Sapsucker, Northern Red-breasted, 
212. 

Red-breasted, 211. 

Red-naped, 211. 

Williamson, 212. 

Yellow-bellied, 210. 
Savanna Sparrow, Western, 332. 
Saw-whet Owl, 180. 

Northwest, 181. 
Saxicola, 467, 475. 

oenanthe, 476. 
Say Phoebe, 255. 
Sayornis, 246, 254. 

nigricans, 254, 255. 
semiatra, 254, 256. 

phoebe, 254. 

say a, 254, 255. 
Scaled Partridge, 118. 
Scardafella, 138, 143. 

inea, 143. 
Scarlet Tanager, 380. 
Scaup Duck, 57. 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 246. 
Scolecophagus, 286, 299. 

carolinus, 299. 

cyanocephalus, 299, 300. 
Scolopaeidae, 4, 84, 87. 
Scorched Horned Lark, 269. 
Scoter, American, 63. 

Surf, 63. 

White-winged, 63. 
Scotiaptex, 175, 179. 

cinerea, 179. 
Scott Oriole, 294. 

Sparrow, 354. 
Screech Owl, 182. 
Seed-eater, Sharpe, 376. 
Seiurus, 401, 423. 

aurocapillus, 423. 

noveboracensis notabilis, 423. 
Selasphorus, 233, 237, 238. 

alleni, 238, 241. 

floresii, 238. 

platycercus, 238, 240. 

rufus, 238. 239. 
Semipalmated Plover, 104. 



Sandpiper, 93. 
Seimett Nighthawk, 228. 

Oriole, 295. 

Thrasher, 438. 

Warbler, 407. 

White-tailed Hawk, 158. 
Setophaga, 401, 429. 

picta, 429, 430. 

ruticilla, 429. 
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 151. 
Sharpe Seed-eater, 376. 
Shearwater, Black-vented, 35; 

Dark-bodied, 35, 36. 

Pink-footed, 35. 

Slender-billed, 37. 
Sheldrake, 46. 
Short-billed Gull, 24. 

-eared Owl, 177. 

-tailed Albatross, 32. 
Shoveller, 54. 
Shrike, California, 393. 

Island, 393. 

Northern, 392. 

White-rumped, 392. 
Sialia, 467, 475. 

arctica 475, 476. 

mexicana bairdi, 475, 476. 
occidentalis, 475, 476. 

sialis, 475. 
azurea, 476. 
Sierra Creeper, 452. 
Silver Pheasant, 135. 
Simorhynehus, 12, 14. 

pusillus, 14. 
Siskin, Pine, 323. 
Sitkan Kinglet, 465. 
Sitta, 452, 453. 

canadensis, 453, 454. 

carolinensis, 453. 
aculeata 453. 
nelsoni, 453. 

pygmsea, 453, 454. 
Skylark, 265. 
Slate-colored Junco, 346. 

Sparrow, 362. 
Slender-billed Fulmar, 34. 
Nuthatch, 453. 
Shearwater, 37. 
Small White-eyed Vireo, 399c 
Smith Longspur, 326 327. 
Snipe, Jack, 88. 

Wilson, 88. 
Snowflake, 325. 
Snowy Heron, 75. 

Owl, 187. 

Plover, 106. 



INDEX 



509 



Socorro Petrel, 38. 
Solitaire, Townsend, 467. 
Solitary Sandpiper, 97. 
Song- Sparrow, 356. 
Sonora Yellow Warbler, 411. 
Sonoran Red-wing-, 290. 
Sooty Albatross, 33. 

Fox Sparrow, 361. 

Grouse, 125. 

Song Sparrow, 358. 
Sora, 81. 
Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan, 

129. 
Southwest Bewick Wren, 447. 
Sparrow, Baird, 333. 

Belding Marsh, 332. 

Bell, 351. 

Bendire, 353. 

Black-chinned, 345. 
-throated, 350. 

Botteri, 352. 

Brewer, 343. 

Bryant Marsh, 332. 

Cassin, 352. 

Clay-colored, 342. 

Desert, 350. 
Song, 357. 

English, 324. 

Forbush, 360. 

Fox, 360. 

Gambel, 339. 

Golden-crowned, 339. 

Harris, 337. 

Hawk, 170. 

Heermann Song, 357. 

Intermediate, 339. 

Large-billed, 333. 

Lark, 336. 

Leconte, 335. 

Lincoln, 359. 

Mendocino Song, 358. 

Merrill Song, 359. 

Moimtain Song, 357. 

Nelson, 335. 

Nuttall, 339. 

Oregon Song, 358. 
Vesper, 330. 

Rock, 355. 

Rufous-crowned, 354. 
-winged, 353. 

Rusty Song, 358. 

Sage, 351. 

Salt Marsh Song, 358. 

Samuels Song, 358. 

San Clemente Song, 359. 
Diego Song, 357. 



Sandwich, 331. 

Santa Barbara Song, 368. 

Cruz Song, 357. 
Scott, 354. 
Slate-colored, 362. 
Song, 356. 
Sooty Fox, 361. 

Song, 358. 
Stephens, 363. 
Swamp, 360. 
Tehama Song, 358. 
Texas, 363. 

Seaside, 335. 
Thick-billed, 362. 
Townsend, 361. 
Western Chipping, 342. 

Field, 344. 

Grasshopper, 334. 

Henslow, 334. 

Lark, 336. 

Savanna, 332. 

Tree, 341. 

Vesper, 329. 
White-crowned, 338. 

-throated, 340. 
Worthen, 344. 
Yakutat Fox, 361. 
Spatula, 44, 54. 
clypeata, 54. 
Speotyto, 175, 189. 

cunicularia hypogaea, 189. 
Sphyrapicus, 200, 210. 
ruber, 210, 211. 

notkensis, 210, 212. 
thyroideus, 210, 212. 
varius, 210. 

nuchalis, 210, 211, 212. 
Spinus, 304, 323. 

pinus, 323. 
Spiza, 305, 377. 

americana, 377. 
Spizella, 305, 341. 
atrogularis, 341, 345. 
breweri, 341, 343. 
monticola ochracea, 341. 
pallida, 341, 342. 
pusilla arenacea, 341, 344. 
socialis arizonse, 341, 342. 
wortheni, 341, 344. 
Spoonbill, 54. 
Sporophila, 306, 376. 

morelleti sharpei, 376. 
Spotted Owl, 178. 
Sandpiper, 100. 
Screech Owl, 184. 
Sprague Pipit, 432. 



510 



INDEX 



Spurred Towhee, 365, 366. 
Squatarola, 102. 

squatarola, 102. 
Squirrel Hawk, 163. 
Starling, 285. 
Steg-anopodes, 1, 3, 39. 
Steg-anopus, 84, 85. 

tricolor, 85. 
Stelg-idopteryx, 382, 387. 

serripennis, 387. 
Steller Jay, 272. 
Stellula, 233, 241. 

calliope, 241. 
Stephens Sparrow, 363. 

Vireo, 399. 

Whip-poor-will, 223. 
Stercorariidse, 2, 17. 
Stercorarius, 17. 

longicaudus, 18. 

parasiticus, 18. 

pomarinus. 18. 
Sterna, 19, 27, 29. 

antillaruua, 27, 30. 

easpia, 27, 28. 

eleg-ans, 27, 29. 

forsteri, 27, 29. 

hirundo, 27, 29. 

maxima, 27, 28. 

paradisaea, 27, 30. 
Sternula, 30. 
Stilt Sandpiper, 90. 
Streaked Horned Lark, 268. 
Strigidse, 109, 144, 173. 
Strix, 173. 

pratincola, 173. 
Sturnella, 285, 292. 

magna hoopesi, 292. 
neglecta, 292. 
Sturnidse, 111, 245, 285. 
Sturnus, 285. 

vulgaris, 285. 
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, 250. 
Summer Tanager, 382. 
Surf Bird, 106. 

Scoter, 63. 
Surnia, 175, 188. 

ulula eaparoch, 188. 
Swainson Hawk, 156, 159. 
Swallow, Bank, 386. 

Barn, 384. 

Cliff, 384. 

Mexican Cliff, 384. 

Northern Violet-green, 386. 

Rough-winged, 387. 

Tree, 385. 

White-bellied, 385. 



Swallow-tailed Kite, 148. 
Swamp Sparrow, 360. 
Swan, Trumpeter, 70. 

Whistling, 70. 
Swift, Black, 229. 

Chimney, 230. 

Vaux, 231. 

White-throated, 232. 
Sylviidse, 112, 113, 245, 463, 
Symphemia, 88, 98. 

semipalmata inornata, 98. 
Synthliboramphus, 12, 15. 

antiquus, 15. 
Syrnium, 175, 177. 

nebulosum, 177, 178. 
helveolum, 177, 178. 

occidentale, 178. 
caurinum, 178, 179. 

Tachycineta, 382, 385. 

bicolor, 385. 

thalassina lepida, 385, 386c 
Tachytriorchis, 158. 
Tanager, Cooper, 382. 

Hepatic, 381. 

Louisiana, 379. 

Scarlet, 380. 

Summer, 382. 

Western, 379. 
Tanagridse, 111. 245, 379. 
Tantalus, 72. 

loeulator, 72. 
Tatler, Wandering, 98. 
Teal, Blue-winged, 52. 

Cinnamon, 52. 

European, 51. 

Green-winged, 51. 
Tehama Song Sparrow, 358. 
Telmatodytes, 450. 
Tennessee Warbler, 406. 
Tern, American Black, 31. 

Arctic, 30. 

Caspian, 28. 

Common, 29. 

Elegant, 29. 

Forster, 29. 

Gull-billed, 27. 

Least, 30. 

Royal, 28. 
Tetraonidje, 108, 113. 
Texan Bob-white, 116. 

Cactus Wren, 442. 

Horned Lark, 268. 

Jay, 275. 

Nighthawk, 228. 

Woodpecker, 204. 



INDEX 



611 



Texas Barred Owl, 178. 

Bewick Wren, 447. 

Kingfisher, 199. 

Meadowlark, 292. 

Pyrrhuloxia, 371. 

Screech Owl, 183. 

Seaside Sparrow, 335. 

Sparrow, 363. 
Thalasseiis, 28. 
Thalassogeron, 32, 33. 

culminatus, 33. 
Thick-billed Parrot, 192. 
Red-wing-, 291. 
Sparrow, 362. 
Thrasher, Bendire, 439. 

Brown, 438. 

Calif ornian, 440. 

Crissal, 442. 

Curve-billed, 439. 

Leconte, 441. 

Palmer, 439. 

Pasadena, 441. 

Sage, 435. 

Sennett, 438. 
Thrush, Alaska Hermit, 471. 

Alma, 471. 

Audubon Hermit, 471. 

Dwarf Hermit, 472. 

Gray-cheeked, 469. 

Monterey, 470. 
Hermit, 471. 

Olive-backed, 470. 

Pale Varied, 474. 

Russet-backed, 470. 

Varied, 473. 

Willow, 469. 

Wood, 469. 
Thryomanes, 434. 

bewickii calophonus, 446, 447. 
charienturus, 446, 447. 
cryptus, 446, 447. 
leucogaster, 446, 447. 
spilurus, 446, 448. 

leucophrys, 446, 448. 
Thryothorus, 435, 446. 

ludovicianus, 446. 
Thurber Junco, 347. 
Tinnunculus, 170. 
Titmouse, Black-crested, 455. 

Bridled, 457. 

Gray, 456. 

Plain, 456. 
Totanus, 88, 96. 

flavipes, 96, 97. 

melanoleucus, 96. 
Towhee, 364. 



Abert, 368. 

Anthony, 367. 

Arctic, 364. 

California, 367. 

Canyon, 366. 

Green-tailed, 368. 

Oregon, 365. 

San Clemente, 366. 
Diego, 366. 
Fernando, 367. 

Spurred, 365. 
Townsend Solitaire, 467. 

Sparrow, 361. 

Warbler, 421. 
Toxostoma, 434, 437, 438. 

bendirei, 438, 439. 

crissale, 437. 442. 

curvirostre, 438, 439. 
palmeri, 438, 439. 

lecontei, 437, 441. 

longirostre sennetti, 438. 

redivivum, 437, 440. 
pasadenense, 437, 441. 

rufum. 438. 
Traill Flycatcher, 260. 
Tree-duck, Black-bellied, 69. 
Fulvous, 69. 

Swallow, 385. 
Tricolored Blackbird, 292. 
Tringa, 87, 90. 

alpina pacifica, 91, 93. 

bairdii, 91, 92. 

canutus, 90, 91. 

fuscicollis, 91, 92. 

maculata, 91. 

minutilla, 91 92. 
Trochilid£e, 110, 222, 232. 
Troehilus, 233, 234, 235. 

alexandri, 235, 237. 

colubris, 236, 237. 
Troglodytes, 434, 448. 

aedon parkmanii, 448. 

Troglodytid'fe, 112, 113, 245, 433, 
Trogon, 197. 

ambiguus, 197. 

Coppery-tailed, 197. 
Trogonidge, 110, 193, 197. 
Trumpeter Swan, 70. 
Tryngites, 87, 100. 

subruficoUis, 100. 
Tubinares, 1,3, 32. 
Tufted Puffin, 12. 
Tule Wren, 450. 

Yellow-throat, 425. 
Turdidse, 112, 245, 467. 



512 



INDEX 



Turkey, Merriam, 136. 

Rio Grande, 136. 

Vulture, 146. 

Water, 39. 

Wild, 136. 
Turnstone, Black, 107. 

Ruddy, 107. 
Tympanuchus, 113, 129. 

americanus, 130. 
attwateri, 130, 131. 

pallidicinctus, 130, 131. 
Tyrannidae, 111, 245. 
Tyrannus, 245, 247. 

melancholicus couchi, 247, 248. 

tyrannus, 247, 249. 

verticalis, 247, 248. 

vociferans, 247, 248, 249. 

Upland Plover, 99. 
Uria, 11, 16. 

troile californica, 16. 
Urile, 41. 
Urubitinga, 147, 160. 

anthracina, 160. 

Valley Partridge, 120. 
Varied Bunting, 375. 

Thrush, 473. 
Vaux Swift, 231. 
Vega Gull, 23. 
Verdin, 462. 

Vermilion Flycatcher, 264. 
Vigors Wren, 446. 
Vireo, 394, 397. 

Anthony, 399. 

atricapillus, 394, 397. 

Bell, 399. 

bellii, 394, 399. 

Black-capped, 397. 

Blue-headed, 396. 

Cassin, 396. 

flavoviridis, 394, 395. 

gilvus, 394, 395. 

Gray, 400. 

Button, 399. 

huttoni, 395, 399. 
obscurus, 395, 399. 
stephensi, 395, 399. 

Least, 400. 

noveboracensis, 394, 398. 
micrus, 394, 399. 

olivaceus, 394, 395. 

pusillus, 394, 400. 

Red-eyed, 395. 

Small White-eyed, 399. 

solitarius, 394, 396. 



cassinii, 394, 396. 
plumbeus, 394, 397. 

Stephens, 399. 

vicinior, 394, 499. 

Warbling, 395. 

White-eyed, 398. 

Yellow-green, 395. 
Vireonidffi, 113, 245, 394. 
Vireosylva, 395. 
Virginia Rail, 80. 

Warbler, 403. 
Vulture, Black, 146. 

California, 144. 

Turkey, 145. 

Wandering Tatler, 98. 
Warbler, Alaskan Yellow, 412 

Audubon, 413. 

Black and White, 402. 

-fronted, 415. 
-poll, 416. 
-throated Blue, 412. 
Gray, 418. 
Green, 420. 

Blackburnian, 417. 

Calaveras, 404. 

Canadian, 428. 

Cerulean, 416. 

Chestnut-sided, 416. 

Connecticut, 424. 

Dusky, 405. 

Golden-cheeked, 419. 
Pileolated, 428. 

Grace, 418. 

Hermit, 421. 

Lucy, 402. 

Lutescent, 405. 

Macgillivray, 424. 

Magnolia, 415. 

Northern Parula, 406. 

Olive, 410. 

Orange-crowned, 404. 

Palm, 422. 

Pileolated, 428. 

Red-faced, 430. 

Sennett, 407. 

Sonora Yellow, 411. 

Tennessee, 406. 

Townsend, 421. 

Virginia, 403. 

Wilson, 428. 

Yellow, 411. 

-rumped, 412, 414. 
Warbling Vireo, 395. 
Water Ouzel, 432. 

-thrush, Grinnell, 423. 



INDEX 



513 



Turkey, 39. 
Waxwing-, Bohemian, 388. 

Cedar, 388. 
Western Black Phcebe, 256. 

Bluebird, 476. 

Blue Grosbeak, 373. 

Chipping Sparrow, 342. 

Evening Grosbeak, 307. 

Field Sparrow, 344. 

Flycatcher, 260. 

Gnatcatcher, 466. 

Golden-crowned Kinglet, 464. 

Goshawk, 153. 

Grasshopper Sparrow, 334. 

Grebe, 5. 

GuU, 21. 

Henslow Sparrow, 334. 

Horned Owl, 185. 

Lark Sparrow, 336. 

Martin, 383. 

Meadowlark, 293. 

Mockingbird, 435. 

Nighthawk, 227. 

Ked-tail, 156. 

Robin, 472. 

Sandpiper, 94. 

Savanna Sparrow, 332. 

Solitary Sandpiper, 98. 

Tanager, 379. 

Tree Sparrow, 341. 

Vesper Sparrow, 329. 
' Willet, 89. 

Winter Wren, 449. 

Wood Pewee, 258. 

Yellow-throat, 425. 
Wheatear, 475. 
Whip-poor-will, 223. 

Stephens, 223. 
Whistling Swan, 70. 
White-bellied Swallow, 385. 

-breasted Nuthatch, 453. 

-cheeked Goose, 68. 

-crowned Sparrow, 338. 

-eared Hummingbird, 243. 

-eyed Vireo, 398. 
t -faced Glossy Ibis, 71. 

-fronted Dove, 141. 
Goose, 66. 

-headed Woodpecker, 207. 

Ibis, 71. 

-necked Raven, 280. 

-rumped Sandpiper, 92. 
Shrike, 392. 

-tailed Kite, 148. 
Ptarmigan, 129. 

-throated Sparrow, 340. 



Swift, 232. 
Wren, 445. 

-winged Crossbill, 316. 
Dove, 142. 
Juneo, 345. 
Scoter, 63. 
Whooping Crane, 78. 
Widgeon, 49. 
Wild Turkey. 136. 
Willet, Western, 98. 
Williamson Sapsueker, 212. 
Willow Goldfinch, 321. 

Thrush, 469. 

Woodpecker, 203. 
Wilson Phalarope, 85. 

Plover. 105. 

Snipe, 88. 

Warbler, 428. 
Wilsonia, 401, 427. 

canadensis, 427, 428. 

pusilla, 427, 428. 
chryseola, 428. 
pileolata, 427, 428. 
Wood Duck, 55. 

Ibis, 72. 

Pewee, 258. 

Thrush, 469. 
Woodcock, American, 88. 
Woodhouse Jay, 274. 
Woodpecker, Alaskan Three-toed, 
209. 

Alpine Three-toed, 209. 

American Three-toed, 209. 

Ant-eating, 216. 

Arctic Three-toed, 208. 

Arizona, 206. 

Batchelder, 203. 

Cabanis, 202. 

Calif ornian, 217. 

Downv, 204. 

Gairdner, 203. 

Gila, 219. 

Golden-fronted, 218. 

Harris, 202. 

Lewis, 217. 

Northern Hairy, 201. 
Pileated, 213. 

Nuttall, 205. 

Red-beUied, 218. 
-headed, 215. 

Rocky Mountain Hairy, 203. 

Saint Lucas, 205. 

Texan, 204. 

White-headed, 207. 
Worthen Sparrow, 344. 
Wren, Aztec, 449. 



514 



INDEX 



Baird, 447. 

Bryant Cactus, 443. 

Cactus, 442. 

Canyon, 445. 

Carolina, 446. 

Desert Cactus, 442. 

Dotted Canyon, 445. 

Interior Tule, 451. 

Long-billed Marsh, 450. 

Northwest Bewick, 447. 

Pacific House, 448. 

Parkman, 448. 

Rock, 443. 

San Clemente, 448. 
Nicolas Rock, 443. 

Short-billed Marsh, 450. 

Southwest Bewick, 447. 

Texan Cactus, 442. 

Texas Bewick, 447. 

Tule, 450. 

Vigors, 446. 

Western Winter, 449. 

White-throated, 445. 
Wren-Tit, Coast, 460. 

Pallid, 459. 
Wright Flycatcher, 262. 

Xanthocephalus, 285, 288. 

xanthocephalus, 288. 
Xanthoura, 269, 277. 

luxuosa glaucescens, 277. 
Xantus Becard, 245. 

Murrelet, 16. 
Xema, 19, 27. 

sabini, 27. 



Xenopicus, 200, 207. 
albolarvatus, 207. 

Yakutat Fox Sparrow, 361. 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 210. 
-billed Cuckoo, 195, 197. 

Magpie, 271. 
-crowned Night Heron, 78. 
-green Vireo, 395. 
-headed Blackbird, 288. 
-legs. Greater, 96. 

Lesser, 97. 
-nosed Albatross, 33. 
Rail, 82. 

-rumped Warbler, 412. 
-throat. Pacific, 426. 

Rio Grande, 426. 

Salt Marsh, 425. 

Tule, 425. 

Western, 425. 
Yphantes, 297. 

Zamelodia, 304, 371. 

ludoviciana, 371, 372. 

melanoeephala, 371, 372. 
Zenaidura, 138, 140. 

macroura, 140. 
Zone-tailed Hawk, 167. 
Zonotrichia, 306, 337, 341. 

albicoUis, 337, 340. 

coronata, 337, 339. 

leucophrys, 337, 338, 340= 
gambelii, 337, 339. 
nuttalli, 337, 339. 

querula, 337. 



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. -ill 



